Optimization of Microwave assisted extraction for Quercetin (prebiotic) and the effect of its synbiotic symbiotic combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus (probiotic) in NAFLD induced rat model

Mehwish Majeed¹Waqas Ahmed¹Sumera Javad²Umar Farooq³Juweria Abid³Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad^4*

• ¹University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
• ²Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
• ³National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
• ⁴University of York, York, United Kingdom

Introduction: Changing dietary patterns, lifestyle related disorders and associated metabolic syndromes have increased tThe prevalence of NAFLD over the last is on the rise from the past few years. It has been observed that there is A directa direct association relation between intestinal dysbiosis and NAFLD has been observedtruly depicted by interconnected complex mechanisms. Besides its antioxidant activity, quercetin serves prebiotic functions as well. Objective: The objective of the current research was to determine the synbiotic effect of quercetin and Lactobacillus acidophilus on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced rat models. Methods: Quercetin was extracted from red onions via microwave assisted extraction technique (MAE). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize MAE parameters. 25 female albino rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each; 2 control (untreated control,and negative control) and 3 treatment groups (G1, G2, G3). High fat diet (HFD) (40% fat) in combination with 15% sucrose water and 440 mg cholesterol/100g feed was given to rats over a period of 6 weeks to induce NAFLD. For the efficacy trial, treatment groups received different doses of quercetin; 50mg, 80mg and 100mg in G1, G2 and G3 respectively with a dose of 10^2 CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus/200µl of PBS in all three groups. Results: The results revealed optimal MAE conditions for maximum amount of quercetin as 600W microwave power, 3 min irradiation time and distilled water as a solvent. Resultantly, 86.10mg quercetin/gram of red onion extract (32.7mgQ/g onion powder)The was obtainedquercetin obtained was 86.10mg quercetin per gram of red onion extract (32.7mg Q/g onion powder). There was no significant difference in HDL, VLDL, triglycerides, serum AST and serum ALP levels (p-value>0.05) between all groups. However, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and serum ALT significantly improved in G3 (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: The synbiotic combination is effective at lowering total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol as well as serum ALT levels at a dose of 100mg of quercetin/kg body weight for rats.