The Phytochemical Synergistic Properties of Combination of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction and Cynara cardunculus Extract in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Jessica Maiuolo (), Rocco Mollace, Francesca Bosco, Federica Scarano, Francesca Oppedisano, Saverio Nucera, Stefano Ruga, Lorenza Guarnieri, Roberta Macri, Irene Bava, Cristina Carresi, Micaela Gliozzi, Vincenzo Musolino, Antonio Cardamone, Anna Rita Coppoletta, Andrea Barillaro, Virginia Simari, Daniela Salvemini, Ernesto Palma and Vincenzo Mollace ()
Additional contact information
Jessica Maiuolo: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology, IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Rocco Mollace: San Raffaele Telematic University, 00163 Rome, Italy
Francesca Bosco: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Federica Scarano: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Francesca Oppedisano: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Saverio Nucera: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Stefano Ruga: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Lorenza Guarnieri: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Roberta Macri: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Irene Bava: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Cristina Carresi: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Micaela Gliozzi: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Vincenzo Musolino: Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology, IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Antonio Cardamone: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Anna Rita Coppoletta: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Andrea Barillaro: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Virginia Simari: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Daniela Salvemini: University of St. Luois, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Ernesto Palma: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Vincenzo Mollace: IRC-FSH Center Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered one of the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is a cluster of liver disorders that includes the accumulation of fat in the liver, insulin resistance, diffuse steatosis, lobular inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in the latter stages, liver cancer. Due to the complexity of the disease and the multifactorial basis for the development of liver dysfunction, there is currently no unique drug treatment for NAFLD and the pharmacological options are inconclusive. In recent years, natural products have been studied for their potential beneficial effect in both preventing and treating fatty liver and its consequences in both local and systemic effects related to NAFLD. In particular, bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF), which is rich in natural polyphenols, and Cynara cardunculus wild type (which contains large quantities of sesquiterpenes, caffeic acid derivatives and luteolin) have both been investigated in both pre-clinical settings and clinical studies showing their effect in counteracting NAFLD-related health issues. In the present review we summarize the experimental and clinical evidence on the effect of BPF and Cynara extract alone or in their combination product (Bergacyn ® ) in NAFLD. In particular, data reported show that both extracts may synergize in counteracting the pathophysiological basis of NAFLD by inhibiting lipid accumulation in liver cells, oxidative stress and inflammation subsequent to liver syeatosis and, in the latter stages, liver fibrosis and tissue degeneration. Moreover, due to its powerful vasoprotective effect, the combination of BPF and Cynara extract (Bergacyn ® ) leads to improved endothelial dysfunction and cardioprotective response in both animal models of NAFLD, in veterinary medicine and in humans. Thus, supplementation with BPF and Cynara cardunculus extract and their combination product (Bergacyn ® ) represent a novel and potentially useful approach in preventing and treating NAFLD-associated complications.

Keywords: bergamot; bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF); Cynara cardunculus extract; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); lipid lowering effects; lipid lowering nutraceuticals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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