Purified anthocyanin-rich extract (PAE) from purple highland barley bran mitigated NAFLD via the gut-liver axis by reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, activating the Nrf2 pathway, inhibiting p38 MAPK signaling, improving intestinal barrier function, and alleviating gut dysbacteriosis.
Key Findings
Results
PAE significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase and cholesteryl esterase activities in vitro.
PAE at 1.2 mg/mL inhibited pancreatic lipase activity by 63.11% (p < 0.05)
PAE at 1.2 mg/mL inhibited cholesteryl esterase activity by 60.21% (p < 0.05)
These effects suggest PAE may reduce dietary fat absorption
Results
PAE induced resistant starch formation by increasing the degree of starch structure.
The effect was observed in vitro
This structural modification of starch may contribute to reduced digestibility
The finding is described as a separate mechanism from enzyme inhibition
Results
PAE intervention significantly reduced hepatic weight, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in HFD-induced NAFLD mice.
PAE was administered at 400 mg/kg/day in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mouse model
Hepatic weight was reduced by 25.51% compared with the HFD group (p < 0.05)
Total glyceride (TG) was reduced by 35.15% compared with the HFD group (p < 0.05)
Total cholesterol (TC) was reduced by 34.2% compared with the HFD group (p < 0.05)
Results
PAE exerted significant beneficial effects on oxidative stress and inflammation in the NAFLD model.
Effects were observed both in vivo (HFD-induced mouse model) and in vitro (OA-induced HepG2 cells)
The underlying mechanisms were investigated using Western blot analysis in oleic acid (OA)-induced HepG2 cells
PAE at 400 μg/mL significantly increased nuclear Nrf2 level by 1.24-fold compared with the OA-treated group (p < 0.05)
PAE at 400 μg/mL decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation by 27.47% compared with the OA-treated group (p < 0.05)
Results
PAE significantly improved intestinal barrier function in HFD-induced NAFLD mice.
PAE intervention at 400 mg/kg/day was used in the in vivo model
Mucus thickness was increased by 25.63% compared with the HFD group (p < 0.05)
Goblet cell number was increased by 33.99% compared with the HFD group (p < 0.05)
PAE also alleviated gut dysbacteriosis compared with the HFD group
Results
PAE significantly altered the colon metabolic profile, with differential metabolites mainly involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and amino acid biosynthesis pathways.
Differential metabolites were mainly involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and the biosynthesis of arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan
Correlation analysis revealed strong links between NAFLD-related traits, intestinal flora, and metabolites (p < 0.05)
These correlations implied that PAE mitigated NAFLD via the gut-liver axis
Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Fang G, Azi F, Gao Z, Wu F, et al.. (2026). Hepatoprotective potential of anthocyanins from purple highland barley bran against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through gut-liver axis.. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2026.118558