Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Aqueous extract of Beta vulgaris L. modulates oxidative and metabolic disturbances in a diet-induced NAFLD rat model

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13040
Submitted
3 December 2025
Published
21-04-2026

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing metabolic disorder associated strongly with the consumption of highly refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), particularly in its aqueous form, contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and metabolic regulatory properties, suggesting potential hepatoprotective effects. This study investigated the effects of aqueous beetroot extract on physiological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in male Wistar rats with NAFLD induced by a high-fat and fructose diet. Physiological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were measured in male Wistar rats with NAFLD due to excess high fat and high fructose in their diets. Each of the test animals were separated into four distinct test groups for analysis: a control group; a high fat plus fructose group and two treatment groups that received beetroot extract, which were classified in advance as either low or high doses. The indices and markers of physiology, liver dysfunction, serum lipid profiles and oxidative stress were measured, along with the indices of insulin resistance. The rats that were fed high fat and fructose diets experienced notable increases in body weight, aggravation of the fatty liver disease (high liver mass, high liver enzymes), severe dyslipidaemia, increased oxidative stress and impaired glucose-insulin homeostasis. Beetroot extracts exerted dose-dependent protective effects, including reductions in body and liver weight, normalisation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, improvement in triglyceride and cholesterol levels, restoration of antioxidant defenses (glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), and significant reductions in fasting glucose, insulin and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Most of the high-dose beetroot extract values were almost equal to those of the control group. Thus, findings indicate beetroot extract reduces the metabolic and hepatic disorders caused by diet-induced NAFLD. The action could be attributed to the combination of the lipid-modulating and antioxidant action of beetroots. The results indicate that beetroot has the potential to be used as a functional food to prevent and manage the early stages of NAFLD.

References

  1. 1. Zin MM, Anucha CB, Bánvölgyia S. Recovery of phytochemicals via electromagnetic irradiation (microwave-assisted extraction): betalain and phenolic compounds in perspective. Foods. 2020;9(7):918. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9070918
  2. 2. Clifford T, Howatson G, West DJ, Stevenson EJ. The potential benefits of red beetroot supplementation in health and disease. Nutrients. 2015;7(4):2801–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7042801
  3. 3. Sokolova DV, Shvachko NA, Mikhailova AS, Popov VS, Solovyeva AE, Khlestkina EK. Characterization of betalain content and antioxidant activity variation dynamics in table beets (Beta vulgaris L.) with differently colored roots. Agronomy. 2024;14:999. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050999
  4. 4. Martinez RM, Melo CPB, Pinto IC, Mendes-Pierotti S, Vignoli JA, Verri WA, et al. Betalains: a narrative review on pharmacological mechanisms supporting the nutraceutical potential towards health benefits. Foods. 2024;13(23):3909. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13233909
  5. 5. Silva DVTD, Baião DDS, Ferreira VF, Paschoalin VMF. Betanin as a multipath oxidative stress and inflammation modulator: a beetroot pigment with protective effects on cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(2):539–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1822277
  6. 6. Lee HS, Choi SM, Lim SH, Choi CI. Betanin from beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) regulates lipid metabolism and promotes fat browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023;16(12):1727. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16121727
  7. 7. Nirmal NP, Medhe S, Dahal M, Koirala P, Nirmal S, Al-Asmari F, et al. Betalains protect various body organs through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. Food Sci Hum Wellness. 2024;13(3):1109–17. https://doi.org/10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250093
  8. 8. Al-Harbi LN, Alshammari GM, Al-Dossari AM, Subash-Babu P, Binobead MA, Alhussain MH, et al. Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot) methanolic extract prevents hepatic steatosis and liver damage in T2DM rats by hypoglycemic, insulin-sensitizing, antioxidant effects, and upregulation of PPARα. Biology (Basel). 2021;10(12):1306. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10121306
  9. 9. Chen L, Zhu Y, Hu Z, Wu S, Jin C. Beetroot as a functional food with huge health benefits: antioxidant, antitumor, physical function, and chronic metabolomics activity. Food Sci Nutr. 2021;9(11):6406–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2577
  10. 10. Munguti J, Makanya A, Obimbo M, Kipkorir V, Omondi D. Effect of beetroot juice supplementation on the physical and biochemical profiles of induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2023;3(3):31–42.
  11. 11. Aliahmadi M, Amiri F, Bahrami LS, Husseini AF, Abiri B, Vafa M. Effects of raw red beetroot consumption on metabolic markers and cognitive function in type 2 diabetes patients. J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2021;20(1):673–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-021-00798-z
  12. 12. Khan MI, Polturak G. Biotechnological production and emerging applications of betalains: a review. Biotechnol Adv. 2025;81:108576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108576
  13. 13. Moreno-Ley CM, Osorio-Revilla G, Hernández-Martínez DM, Ramos-Monroy OA, Gallardo-Velazquez T. Anti-inflammatory activity of betalains: a comprehensive review. Hum Nutr Metab. 2021;25:200126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hnm.2021.200126
  14. 14. Mirmiran P, Houshialsadat Z, Gaeini Z, Bahadoran Z, Aziz F. Functional properties of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) in management of cardio-metabolic diseases. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2020;17:3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-019-0421-0
  15. 15. Fateh HL, Rashid SA, Muhammad SS, Al-Jaf SH, Ali AM. Comparing effects of beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes and sonographic appearance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized control trial. Front Nutr. 2023;10:1181706. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1181706
  16. 16. Eyshi S, Ghareaghajlou N, Afshar Mogaddam MR, Ghasempour Z. Red beet betalains extraction process: a comprehensive review of methods, applications, and physicochemical properties. Food Sci Nutr. 2024;12(11):8540–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4458
  17. 17. Olumese FE, Oboh HA. Biochemical and histopathological evaluation of liver, kidney, and pancreas in normal Sprague Dawley rats administered aqueous extract of beetroot (Beta vulgaris). J Complement Integr Med. 2022;19(3):729–35. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0360
  18. 18. Yoshizumi T, Gondolesi GE, Bodian CA, Jeon H, Schwartz ME, Fishbein TM, et al. A simple new formula to assess liver weight. Transplant Proc. 2003;35(4):1415–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0041-1345(03)00482-2
  19. 19. Šilhavý J, Mlejnek P, Šimáková M, Malinska H, Markova I, Huttl M, et al. Hypolipidemic effects of beetroot juice in SHR-CRP and HHTg rat models of metabolic syndrome: analysis of hepatic proteome. Metabolites. 2023;13(2):192. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13020192
  20. 20. Alshafei MM, Mohammed DM, Hanafi EM, Kassem SS. Red beet peel-loaded liposome's impact on metabolic syndrome rats and its use as fortifier in yoghurt powder. Egypt J Chem. 2023;66(2):517–33.
  21. 21. Rubi DS, Pramana AAC, Sunarti. The protective effects of red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) against oxidative stress in rats induced by high fat and fructose diet. Acta Biochim Indones. 2020;3(2):62–71. https://doi.org/10.32889/actabioina.v3i2.53
  22. 22. Javadi B, Ramazani E, Abbaszadeh G, Kalalinia F, Emami SA, Tayarani-Najaran Z. Betanin and beetroot extract suppress the adipocyte differentiation in human adipose-derived stem cells. S Afr J Bot. 2025;187:386–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2025.10.015
  23. 23. Ojo OA, Adeyemo TR, Iyobhebhe M, Adams MD, Asaleye RM, Evboumwan IO, et al. Beta vulgaris L. beetroot protects against iron-induced liver injury by restoring antioxidant pathways and regulating cellular functions. Sci Rep. 2024;14:25205. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77503-6
  24. 24. Lorizola IM, Furlan CPB, Portovedo M, Milanski M, Botello PB, Bezerra RM, et al. Beet stalks and leaves (Beta vulgaris L.) protect against high-fat diet-induced oxidative damage in the liver in mice. Nutrients. 2018;10:872. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10070872
  25. 25. dos S Baião D, da Silva DVT, Paschoalin VMF. Beetroot, a remarkable vegetable: its nitrate and phytochemical contents can be adjusted in novel formulations to benefit health and support cardiovascular disease therapies. Antioxidants. 2020;9:960. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9100960
  26. 26. Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Butt MS, Randhawa MA, Shahid M. Hepatoprotective effects of red beetroot-based beverages against CCl4-induced hepatic stress in Sprague Dawley rats. J Food Biochem. 2019;43:e13057. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13057
  27. 27. Albrahim T, Alonazi MA. Role of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) juice on chronic nanotoxicity of silver nanoparticle-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Int J Nanomed. 2020;15:3471–82. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S248078
  28. 28. Mahmoud ME, Sadeek RA. The protective effect of red beet powder against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. J Home Econ. 2016;26(3).
  29. 29. Banwo K, Oduola S, Alao M, Sanni A. Hepatoprotective potentials of methanolic extracts of roselle and beetroots against carbon tetrachloride and Escherichia coli-induced stress in Wistar rats. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci. 2022;9(1):423–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/2314808X.2022.2098461
  30. 30. Munguti J, Makanya A, Obimbo M, Kipkorir V, Omondi D. Effect of beetroot juice supplementation on the physical and biochemical profiles of induced metabolic syndrome in rats. Mediterr J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2023;3(3):31–42.
  31. 31. Pinheiro VDS, Junior OJFR, Ortmann CF, Pande A, Conte-Junior C, Alvares TS. Evaluation of 12-week standardized beetroot extract supplementation in older participants: a preliminary study of human health safety. Nutrients. 2024;16:1942. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121942
  32. 32. Stanaway L, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Page R, Wong M, Jirangrat W, Teh KH, et al. Acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice causes a greater increase in plasma nitrite and reduction in blood pressure of older compared to younger adults. Nutrients. 2019;11:1683. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071683
  33. 33. Albasher G, Almeer R, Al-Otibi FO, Al-Kubaisi N, Mahmoud AM. Ameliorative effect of Beta vulgaris root extract on chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and liver injury in rats. Biomolecules. 2019;9:261. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9070261
  34. 34. Chia S, Ng S, Croft A, Park C, Morten M, Sverdlov A, Ngo D. Effects of beetroot juice supplementation on inflammation and antioxidant levels in obese subjects. Heart Lung Circ. 2021;30(Suppl 3):S221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2021.06.279
  35. 35. Sayyar A, Oladi M, Hosseini M, Nakhaee S, Ataie Z, Farrokhfall K. Effect of red beetroot juice on oxidative status and islet insulin release in adult male rats. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2022;14:58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-022-00830-z
  36. 36. Tyler AP, Linder BA, Ricart K, Jr CE, Ovalle F, Patel RP, et al. The effects of acute beetroot juice intake on glycemic and blood pressure responses when controlling for medication in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study. Nutrients. 2024;16:2636. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162636
  37. 37. Daliri EB-M, Baltriukienė D, Burokas A. Beetroot for managing diabetes and its associated gut dysbiosis: current findings and challenges. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2023;142:104216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2023.104216
  38. 38. Gao Y, Liang X, Tian Z, Ma Y, Sun C. Betalain exerts cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects against the experimental model of heart failure. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2021;40(Suppl 12):S16–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/09603271211027933
  39. 39. Arshad M, Jaffar M, Khan S, Akram I, Sabah NU, Saher S, et al. Hepatoprotective effects of betalain supplementation among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Diet Factor (J Nutr Food Sci). 2023;4(2):34–9. https://doi.org/10.54393/df.v4i02.99

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.