OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of curcumin derivative on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

METHODS60 SD male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The NASH model was induced by high fat diet combined with carbon tetrachloride. These rats were then treated with curcumin and curcumin derivative, saline treating group as control. The serum biochemical parameters and liver histological examinations were observed. The TNF alpha, NF-kappa B and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA transcriptions of liver tissue were detected with RT-PCR. The protein expressions of TNF alpha and NF-kappa B were detected by western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the saline group, A remarkable reduction was observed in serum ALT (U/L), AST (U/L) and TC (mmol/L) in rats treated with curcumin derivatives [(69.20 +/- 27.58) vs (102.43 +/- 47.29), (158.00 +/- 39.15) vs (229.50 +/- 105.20) and (2.08 +/- 0.30) vs (2.58 +/- 1.02), P < 0.05]. The degrees of fibrosis were significantly alleviated; Compared with curcumin group, liver index and serum ALT, AST of curcumin derivative group were also significantly decreased [(4.88 +/- 0.62) vs (5.16 +/- 0.61); (69.20 +/- 27.58) vs (82.5 +/- 33.23); (158.00 +/- 39.15) vs (211.75 +/- 106.30), P < 0.05]; The liver steatosis and inflammation grade were also significantly improved .The gene transcriptions of TNF alpha, NF-kappa B and HMG-CoA reductase in curcumin derivative group were significantly lower than those in curcumin and saline group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that the water-soluble curcumin derivative displays superior bioavailability to the parent curcumin, which can effectively improve the lipid metabolism and delay the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats with steatohepatitis.