Background and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver syndrome have high prevalence in Iran. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes clinical spectrum from simple steatosis to cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. In advanced stages NAFLD has irreversible complications, therefore early treatments especially with medicinal plants can be considered as an important strategy in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combined drug (herbal-marine) HESA-A on treatment of fatty liver in rats by measuring the biochemical and histological parameters.

Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats (weighing 180±20 g), were divided into two groups for eight weeks; a standard diet (n= 7) and a high-fat diet (HFD) (n= 21). In order to confirm the NAFLD, the control group and seven rats of the HFD group were killed and their biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were studied. The rest of the rats were divided into two groups to have either HFD + HESA-A (500 mg/kg/day) or HFD + atorvastatin (30 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. Finally, biomarker serum of liver damage, serum lipid profiles and histopathological changes were investigated.

Results: After 8 weeks HFD caused harmful metabolic effects including hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and liver dysfunction. It also increased the activity of serum liver enzymes (p< 0.05). HESA-A treatment significantly decreased parameters of liver tissue damage in serum. Histopathology of liver approved the changes caused by HFD and protective effects of HESA-A on liver.

Conclusion: Compared with atorvastatin, herbal-marine compound HESA-A which is a national product, can be used as an effective therapy in treatment of NAFLD without side effects of chemical drugs.