(P09-045-24) A Protective Effect of Aged Parsnip Extract on High-Fat, High-Sucrose, and High-Cholesterol Diet-Induced Hepatic Dysfunction In Vivo

Objectives: Functional foods containing a variety of nutrients have drawn more attention as natural therapeutic agents contributing to promoting health and preventing diseases. Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), a root vegetable like carrots and parsley, is known to have biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive improvement effect. This has prompted our investigation into its potential for protecting liver from metabolic disorders. Hepatic steatosis is characterized by the accumulation of intrahepatic triglycerides accompanied by inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially leading to detrimental liver dysfunction.

Methods: For diet preparation, chopped parsnips were incubated in a dry oven at 50°C for 21 days. The aged parsnips were ground into powder using a blender. The powder was extracted in 30% ethanol for overnight and the extract was filtered by a vacuum-distillation process. Aged parsnip extract (240 mg/kg of HFSCD) is added to HFSCD. To induce hepatic steatosis, mice underwent a challenge fed with a high-fat, high-sucrose, and high-cholesterol diet (HFSCD) for 17 weeks in the presence or absence of aged parsnip extract (APE). Food and water were provided ad libitum and the body weight was measured twice a week.

Results: The supplementation of APE to HFSCD-fed mice resulted in a significant reduction in the increase of body weight. Moreover, the weight and size of liver tissue were significantly decreased in APE-supplemented HFSCD compared to HFSCD group. Consistently, the supplementation of APE in the HFSCD group led to a protection of the liver as judged by decreases in the serum aminotransferase levels, including ALT and AST.

Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that APE has hepatoprotective potential against diet-induced steatohepatitis in mice.

Funding Sources: This activity was funded by Purdue University as part of AgSEED Crossroads funding to support Indiana’s Agriculture and Rural Development.