Background: Current researches are greatly interested in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatment using medicinal plants. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a natural non-calorie bio-sweetener belongs to Asteraceae family. In light of the association between metabolic diseases and NAFLD, researchers are attempting to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetic medications to treat NAFLD. The ideal impacts of stevia on these disorders have been supported. This research was designed to investigate the rosuvastatin efficacy alone and combined with stevia to develop a prophylactic regimen for dexamethasone-induced NAFLD.

Methods: Thirty male albino rats were used: Group I: control rats. Group II: rats received dexamethasone. Group III: rats received rosuvastatin and dexamethasone. Group IV: Rats received stevia and dexamethasone. Group V: Rats received rosuvastatin, stevia and dexamethasone. Liver enzymes, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and adiponectin, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and TNF-α were measured. Histopathological alterations and PPAR-α expressions in the liver were evaluated.

Results: Dexamethasone caused an elevation in total cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, liver enzymes, and TNF-α with a reduction in adiponectin and glutathione peroxidase levels. There was a reduction in the expression of PPAR-α. Both rosuvastatin and stevia caused an improvement in lipid profile, liver enzymes, oxidative stress, TNF-α, and adiponectin levels. The expression of PPAR-α was increased in all treated groups compared with the dexamethasone-treated group. Furthermore, stevia significantly enhanced the action of rosuvastatin.

Conclusions: Rosuvastatin alone or combined with stevia offered some protective effect against dexamethasone-induced NAFLD. This may be due to their anti-inflammatory, synergistic antioxidative, and lipid lowering effects.