Saudi date cultivars' seed extracts inhibit developing hepatic steatosis in rats fed a high-fat diet

This research aim was to assess the impact of the seed extracts of the date cultivars (Qatara, Barhi, and Ruthana) on rat’s liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation triggered by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD). The experimental design was based on random partitioning into two groups; one that received the standard diet and another that received the HFD diet. The HFD rats were orally administered Lipitor or date seed extracts at 300 or 600 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Accordingly, feeding rats HFD significantly increased body and liver weights, hepatic and serum lipid levels, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, liver function enzymes, and inflammation markers, and decreased oxidative stress enzymes. Oral administration of Barhi and Ruthana date seed extracts significantly decreased body and liver weights. Serum and liver total cholesterol TC, Triglycerides TGs, and free fatty acids FFAs were also decreased as were AST, ALT, MAD, leptin, and CRP, with a concomitant increase in SOD, GSH, and CAT. Furthermore, similar to Lipitor, oral administration of the extracts reduced inflammation markers such as TNF-α, serum CRP, IL-6, IL-1β, and leptin while increasing IL-10 and adiponectin levels. Histological observation revealed that extract administration improved hepatocyte and parenchymal structures and decreased lipid deposition. In conclusion, both Barhi and Ruthana seed extracts showed strong hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against HFD-induced liver steatosis. And date seeds have other beneficial potential for prevention and treatment of various diseases, which can be studied in the future.