Delphinidin or α‐amyrin attenuated liver steatosis and metabolic disarrangement in rats fed a high‐fat diet

Abstract Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver pathology concomitant with metabolic disarrangement. This study assessed the therapeutic impacts of delphinidin, an anthocyanin, or α‐amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid, on NAFLD in rats and the underlying mechanisms involved. NAFLD was established by feeding a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks, either alone or in combination with delphinidin (40 mg/kg, oral) or α‐amyrin (20 mg/kg, oral). Delphinidin or α‐amyrin ameliorated the metabolic and histopathological perturbations induced by HFD. These compounds markedly attenuated NAFLD‐induced hepatic steatosis, as evidenced by a substantial decrease in body weight, insulin resistance, and liver and adipose tissue indices. Alongside normalization of the atherogenic index, both improved HFD‐mediated abnormalities in serum lipids, liver enzymes, leptin, and ghrelin levels. Moreover, their intervention activated the NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2 and heme oxygenase 1 pathways and abrogated HFD‐triggered activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 signaling. These remedies inhibited hepatic apoptosis and modulated the gene expression of lipogenic enzymes. Furthermore, histological analysis corroborated the suppression of lipid accumulation and amelioration of hepatic architecture in the treated rats. Our findings highlight the hepatoprotective value of delphinidin or α‐amyrin against NAFLD and related metabolic diseases through their insulin‐sensitizing, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects.