Parboiled rice extracts ameliorate oleic acid-induced steatosis of HepG2 cell and its molecular mechanism

This study assessed the potential role of parboiled rice (PR) in balancing lipid levels and its mechanisms. Water and 80% methanol soluble substances of refined rice (RR) and PR were extracted and were used to treat HepG2 cells, and PR extracts were found to alleviate cellular lipid accumulation. The components of RR and PR extracts were identified. Among them, there were 267 and 291 different components in water extract and 80% methanol extract, respectively. After screening differential substances, the active ingredients delphinidin and cinnamic acid were selected and their lipid-lowering activity was verified in vitro. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of the two components reducing steatosis were explored by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Our results indicated that they may interfere with lipid deposition through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which was also confirmed in vitro. These results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of PR involved in lipid metabolism.