Fig. 2

Honokiol ameliorates high fat diet (HFD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A Schematic showing HFD-induced NAFLD and evaluation of therapeutic effects of honokiol in vivo (100 mg/kg). B and C Body (B) and liver weight (C) of NC- or HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. D Representative images of indicated mouse liver sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), oil red O (ORO), picrosirius red (PSR), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CD11b-positive cells. n = 6 mice per group. Scale bar 50 μm. E Results of NAS (HE) and quantitative analysis of ORO, PSR, and CD11b shown in (D). n = 6 mice per group. Mann–Whitney U test was used for NAS, while Student’s t-test was applied to ORO, PSR, and CD11b data. F TG, TC, and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in the livers of HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. Student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis. G Serum ALT and AST activity in HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. Student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis. H Serum TC and TG concentrations in HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. Student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis. I Heart weights and heart histological staining of HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. Student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis. Scale bar 50 μm. J Kidney and spleen weights of HFD-fed mice treated with honokiol or vehicle after 12 weeks of their respective diets. n = 6 mice per group. Student’s t-test was applied for statistical analysis. K GSVA enrichment analysis related to inflammation, lipid metabolism, and fibrosis downregulated by honokiol treatment. n = 5 mice per group. L Heatmap of gene expression profiles involved in cell damage and death, inflammation, and lipid metabolism. n = 5 mice per group