Effects of chitosan nanoparticles containing quercetin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in male Wistar rats

Aim and Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one of the common diseases. Besides, no FDA, EMA drug is approved for NAFLD treatment. Quercetin is a herbal substance with high antioxidant effects; howevit it’s hydrophobic and low bioavailable in the gastrointestinal system should be adjusted. Chitosan nanoparticles with biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioadhesive properties are promising carriers for this purpose. Material and method: The quercetin-chitosan nanoparticle was fabricated by the ion gelation method. And NAFLD was induced in male Wistar rats by a high-fat diet. After proving the NAFLD nanoparticle was gavaged 30 mg/kg daily for 30 days. After treatment, all rats were sacrificed and a blood sample and liver were taken for further analysis. Result and discussion: Nanoparticles with a particle size of 190 nanometers and a span of 0.97 were prepared. Liver sections were stained by H E to examine ballooning degeneration, mallory-denk body, and inflammation, which are signs of liver damage. The liver status and damage were measured with the control group, after a high-fat diet, liver status was measured and evaluated and it was in stage 3 of NAFLD and with therapy, inflammation was resolved. Conclusion: Quercetin-chitosan nanoparticles can be useful in treating NAFLD and inflammation