Protective Roles of Shilajit in Modulating Resistin, Adiponectin, and Cytokines in Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective To evaluate the effect of Shilajit, a medicine of Ayurveda, on the serum changes in cytokines and adipokines caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods After establishing fatty liver models by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, 35 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control (standard diet), Veh (HFD + vehicle), high-dose Shilajit [H-Sh, HFD + 250 mg/(kg center dot d) Shilajit], low-dose Shilajit [L-Sh, HFD + 150 mg/(kg center dot d) Shilajit], and pioglitazone [HFD + 10 mg/(kg center dot d) pioglitazone] groups, 7 rats in each group. After 2-week of gavage administration, serum levels of glucose, insulin, interleukin 1beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), adiponectin, and resistin were measured, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Results After NAFLD induction, the serum level of IL-10 significantly increased and serum IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha levels significantly decreased by injection of both doses of Shilajit and pioglitazone (P<0.05). Increases in serum glucose level and homeostasis model of HOMA-IR were reduced by L-Sh and H-Sh treatment in NAFLD rats (P<0.05). Both doses of Shilajit increased adiponectin and decreased serum resistin levels (P<0.05). Conclusion The probable protective role of Shilajit in NAFLD model rats may be via modulating the serum levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-10, adipokine and resistin, and reducing of HOMA-IR.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Shilajit, an Ayurvedic medicine, on the serum changes in cytokines and adipokines caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The results showed that Shilajit can protect against NAFLD by modulating the levels of cytokines and adipokines, reducing insulin resistance, and improving blood glucose levels.