Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of total flavonoids from sowthistle tea (TFST),
the leaves of sowthistle, against chronic alcoholic fatty liver in mice. A mouse model of chronic alcoholic fatty liver was
established by intragastric administration of alcohol. Then, the model mice were administered with sowthistle tea extract
for 12 weeks. In the present study, body weight, liver weight, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) in serum and the levels of malondialdehyde
(MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), interteakin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)
in liver were determined. Meanwhile, histopathological changes in liver tissues were examined. The results showed
that the levels of ALT, AST, TG, TC, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α in liver from the treatment groups were lower than
those in the model group, while SOD and GSH activities in liver were higher, and the liver lesions were restored in
some degree. It is indicated that sowthistle tea extract has a positive impact on chronic alcoholic fatty liver in mice.

Key words: total flavonoids from sowthistle tea, chronic alcoholic fatty liver, liver function, effect