Fig. 2

DHM attenuates hepatic steatosis and injury in NAFLD rats and palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells. A Representative macroscopic pictures of the rat liver from each experimental group are shown. B–D Representative liver slices were subjected to staining with Oil Red O, as well as with H&E and PAS. Scale bar = 50 μm. E Serum lipid concentration (n = 6). ^* P < 0.05, ^** P < 0.01 vs. the NC group; ^# P < 0.05, ^## P < 0.01 vs. the HFD group. The HepG2 cell line was subjected to treatment with PA (0.5 mM) and/or DHM at concentrations of 5, 10, or 20 μM. for 24 h. F Measurement of intracellular TG concentration. G Oil Red O staining under a light microscope. Scale bar = 50 μm. Data are presented as mean ± SD of triplicate experiments. ^**P < 0.01 vs. untreated control. ^##P < 0.01 vs. PA-treated cells. (H, I) Serum ALT and AST levels (n = 6). ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01 vs. the NC group; ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01 vs. the HFD group