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Li ZJ, Abudumijiti A, Xu DQ, Youlidouzi M, Silafu A, Jiang ZZ, Zhao GL, Wang T, Aiximujiang R, Zulikaer M, Yiliyaer S, Cao CY, Zhang LY. Quantitative proteomics analysis of Fructus Psoraleae-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Chin J Nat Med 2020; 18:123-37. [PMID: 32172948 DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(20)30013-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Fructus Psoraleae, which is commonly consumed for the treatment of osteoporosis, bone fracture, and leucoderma, induces liver injury. This study investigated the pathogenesis of the ethanol extract of Fructus Psoraleae (EEFP)-induced liver injury in rats. EEFP (1.35, 1.80, and 2.25 g·kg-1) was administrated to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats for 30 d. We measured liver chemistries, histopathology, and quantitative isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based protein profiling. EEFP demonstrated parameters suggestive of liver injury with changes in bile secretion, bile flow rate, and liver histopathology. iTRAQ analysis showed that a total of 4042 proteins were expressed in liver tissues of EEFP-treated and untreated rats. Among these proteins, 81 were upregulated and 32 were downregulated in the treatment group. KEGG pathway analysis showed that the drug metabolic pathways of cytochrome P450, glutathione metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and bile secretion were enriched with differentially expressed proteins. The expression of key proteins related to the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), i.e., the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), were downregulated, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) was upregulated in the EEFP-treated rats. Our results provide evidence that EEFP may induce hepatotoxicity through various pathways. Furthermore, our study demonstrates changes in protein regulation using iTRAQ quantitative proteomics analysis.
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Dong XL, Yu WX, Li CM, Zhou LP, Wong MS. Chuanxiong (Rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong) Protects Ovariectomized Hyperlipidemic Rats from Bone Loss. Am J Chin Med 2020; 48:463-485. [PMID: 32138532 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x2050024x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is the common mechanism for age-related diseases. The co-occurrence of osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women makes it warranted to find a holistic approach for treatment of multiple diseases or conditions. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX), which has high anti-oxidant properties and is widely used for CVD treatment in China, might be the potential candidate. In the present study, CX ethanol extract (CXE) was applied to H2O2 induced MG63 cells to study its effects and mechanisms on osteoblastogenesis against OS. CXE was then administered to six-month-old Sprague Dawley sham or ovariectomized (OVX) rats fed either a low saturated fat-sucrose (LFS) or a high fat-sucrose (HFS) diet for 12 weeks, to confirm its anti-osteoporotic effects. The results demonstrated that CXE directly improved proliferation and differentiation in vitro in an H2O2-induced osteoblast cell model by attenuating cellular reactive oxygen species levels and inhibiting osteoblast apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CXE significantly improved bone properties as revealed by the increase in trabecular bone mineral density and decrease in trabecular separation at proximal metaphysis of the tibia (PT) in HFS-fed OVX rats but not in LFS-fed OVX rats. CXE ameliorated dyslipidemia, greatly reduced lipid deposition and malondialdehyde levels, improved activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the livers of HFS-fed OVX rats. In conclusion, CXE could favor osteoblastogenesis against OS. The ability of CXE to reduce bone loss in HFS-fed OVX rats was associated with its abilities to correct dyslipidemia, and reduce lipid deposition and OS levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Li Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Food Biological Safety Control, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Yu
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chun-Mei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhou
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Sau Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology (Incubation), Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Food Biological Safety Control, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract
Eleven new phthalide derivatives (1–11) have been isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
| | - Bing Han
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
| | - Zi-Ming Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
| | - Ya-Nan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
| | - Jian-Shuang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
| | - Pei-Cheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines
- Institute of Materia Medica
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
- Peking Union Medical College
- Beijing 100050
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Lin LJ, Chiang CJ, Chao YP, Wang SD, Chiou YT, Wang HY, Kao ST. Development of Alginate Microspheres Containing Chuanxiong for Oral Administration to Adult Zebrafish. Biomed Res Int 2016; 2016:4013071. [PMID: 27403425 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4013071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Oral administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by patients is the common way to treat health problems. Zebrafish emerges as an excellent animal model for the pharmacology investigation. However, the oral delivery system of TCM in zebrafish has not been established so far. This issue was addressed by development of alginate microparticles for oral delivery of chuanxiong, a TCM that displays antifibrotic and antiproliferative effects on hepatocytes. The delivery microparticles were prepared from gelification of alginate containing various levels of chuanxiong. The chuanxiong-encapsulated alginate microparticles were characterized for their solubility, structure, encapsulation efficiency, the cargo release profile, and digestion in gastrointestinal tract of zebrafish. Encapsulation of chuanxiong resulted in more compact structure and the smaller size of microparticles. The release rate of chuanxiong increased for alginate microparticles carrying more chuanxiong in simulated intestinal fluid. This remarkable feature ensures the controlled release of encapsulated cargos in the gastrointestinal tract of zebrafish. Moreover, chuanxiong-loaded alginate microparticles were moved to the end of gastrointestinal tract after oral administration for 6 hr and excreted from the body after 16 hr. Therefore, our developed method for oral administration of TCM in zebrafish is useful for easy and rapid evaluation of the drug effect on disease.
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Li CM, Wu JH, Yang RF, Dong XL, He ZY, Tian XL, Guo DJ, Wong MS, Qiu TQ, Chan SW. Ligusticum chuanxiong Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Liver and Vascular Damage in Rats. Am J Chin Med 2013; 41:831-48. [DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x13500560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Post-menopause, there is an increase in body weight, visceral adiposity, and risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which leads to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Some natural products have proven useful for counteracting the detrimental effects of menopause. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (LC) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese communities for the treatment of CVDs. The hepatic and vascular protective effects of LC ethanolic extract under postmenopausal conditions were investigated on ovariectomized (OVX) rats supplemented with or without LC ethanolic extract (600 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) or 17β-estradiol (1 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) for 12 weeks. The current findings demonstrated that consumption of LC ethanolic extract could reduce the body weight gain, improve serum lipid profile (lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol but raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol), combat NAFLD, and protect vascular endothelium in the OVX rats. The beneficial effects of LC may be associated with its antioxidant or vasorelaxant compounds, which enhance the levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and up-regulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression, respectively. Taken together, LC may be a promising natural supplement for postmenopausal women to prevent NAFLD and CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Mei Li
- College of Light Industry and Food, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical College, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian-Hong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ri-Fu Yang
- College of Light Industry and Food, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Li Dong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhen-Yu He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Pharmaceutical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Lian Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
| | - De-Jian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Man-Sau Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tai-Qiu Qiu
- College of Light Industry and Food, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shun-Wan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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Wang N, Zhang Y, Li X, Tong Y, Kong H, Xu G. [Analysis of volatile oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. from different geographical origins by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry]. Se Pu 2010; 28:329-35. [PMID: 20712112 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2010.00329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The volatile oils of 23 Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. samples from 4 different regions were analyzed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC/TOF MS). The group-type separation of 4 terpenoids and phthalides was well accomplished based on a DB-Petro x DB-17 column system. With the MS library search, 215 compounds were tentatively identified based on the NIST database and the 43 compounds of them were confirmed by using the retention index or comparing with the standard compounds in a typical sample from Xindu City. Twenty three samples were apparently classified into 4 groups by partial least square-discriminant analysis. A brief list of 20 differential compounds is presented, including cnidilide, 3-n-butylphthalide and butylidene phthalide. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), stable free radical scavenging assay was adopted to differentiate the antioxidative potency of these samples, which was expressed as EC50. Based on the orthogonal partial least square model the biochemical discrimination of samples was achieved with ligustilide, senkyunolide A and neocnidilide as important differential compounds according to geographical origins. All the results indicated that phthalides exert a great influence on the chemical and biochemical classifications of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, and the samples from Pengzhou City have the highest contents of phthalides.
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Abstract
CONTEXT Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (LC; Umbelliferae) is an effective medical plant, which has been extensively applied for many years to treat various diseases with other Chinese herbal medicines. Although a considerable amount of scientific research was reported on LC in the last decade, it is currently scattered across various publications. The present review comprises the chemical and pharmacological research on LC in the last decade. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to bring together most of the scientific research available on LC and evaluate its effects and mechanisms. METHODS The information for 82 cases included in this review was compiled using major databases such as Medline, Elsevier, Springer, Pubmed, and Scholar. RESULTS The compounds contained in LC can be divided into five kinds, essential oil (EO), alkaloids, phenolic acids, phthalide lactones, and other constituents. A great deal of pharmacological research has been done, which mainly focuses on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular effects, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antifibrosis, antinociception, antiinflammation, and antineoplastic activity. CONCLUSION A large number of pharmacological and chemical studies during the last 10 years have demonstrated the vast medicinal potential of LC. It is still very clear that LC is a plant with widespread use now and also with extraordinary potential for the future. The documents strongly support the view that LC has beneficial therapeutic properties and indicates its potential as an effective adaptogenic herbal remedy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Ran
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, PR China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the key cell type for hepatic fibrosis, become activated and profibrogenic in the presence of hepatocyte apoptotic bodies (ABs). Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (BS), a widely used traditional Chinese herb for liver diseases, was fractionated, and the inhibitory effects of BS extracts on AB-induced HSC migration were screened. The activity-guided fractionation led to a lignan, kaerophyllin. In this study, the anti-fibrotic effects of kaerophyllin were studied in the presence of ABs. METHODS LX-2 cells phagocytosing ultraviolet (UV)-induced HepG2 ABs were investigated by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. AB-induced HSC activation was evaluated by immunoblotting and real-time PCR analyses. HSC migration was measured by wound-healing assays. RESULTS HepG2 ABs induced LX-2 activation, with the production of collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin, upregulated profibrogenic gene transcriptions and increased NF-κB activity, cell migration and phagocytosis. Kaerophyllin from BS antagonized AB-induced HSC migration and activation. CONCLUSIONS Kaerophyllin inhibited AB-induced LX-2 activation and migration with downregulation of Akt/ERK phosphorylations and NF-κB activity. Our study suggests a novel platform for screening anti-fibrotic compounds with ABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Fang Lee
- Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effect of tectorigenin on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC)-T6 cells.
METHODS: HSC-T6 cells were incubated with tectorigenin at different concentrations, and their proliferation was assessed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry assay with Hoechst 33342 staining. Also, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular [Ca2+]i, potential of mitochondrial membrane, activities of cytochrome c and caspase-9 and -3 were investigated to explore a conceivable apoptotic pathway.
RESULTS: Tectorigenin suppressed the proliferation of HSC-T6 cells and induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Tectorigenin at the concentration of 100 μg/mL greatly inhibited the viability of HSC-T6 cells and induced the condensation of chromatin and fragmentation of nuclei. When treated for 48 h, the percentage of cell growth and apoptosis reached 46.3% ± 2.37% (P = 0.004) and 50.67% ± 3.24% (P = 0.003), respectively. Furthermore, tectorigenin-induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells was associated with the generation of ROS, increased intracellular [Ca2+]i, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, translocation of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-9 and -3.
CONCLUSION: Tectorigenin inhibits proliferation of HSC-T6 cells and induces apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells.
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Weng TC, Shen CC, Chiu YT, Lin YL, Kuo CD, Huang YT. Inhibitory effects of armepavine against hepatic fibrosis in rats. J Biomed Sci 2009; 16:78. [PMID: 19723340 DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-16-78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2009] [Accepted: 09/02/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a crucial role in liver fibrogenesis. armepavine (Arm, C19H23O3N), an active compound from Nelumbo nucifera, has been shown to exert immunosuppressive effects on T lymphocytes and on lupus nephritic mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Arm could exert anti-hepatic fibrogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. A cell line of rat HSCs (HSC-T6) was stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Arm. An in vivo therapeutic study was conducted in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. BDL rats were given Arm (3 or 10 mg/kg) by gavage twice daily for 3 weeks starting from the onset of BDL. Liver sections were taken for fibrosis scoring, immuno-fluorescence staining and quantitative real-time mRNA measurements. In vitro, Arm (1-10 μM) concentration-dependently attenuated TNF-α- and LPS-stimulated α-SMA protein expression and AP-1 activation by HSC-T6 cells without adverse cytotoxicity. Arm also suppressed TNF-α-induced collagen collagen deposition, NFκB activation and MAPK (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) phosphorylations. In vivo, Arm treatment significantly reduced plasma AST and ALT levels, hepatic α-SMA expression and collagen contents, and fibrosis scores of BDL rats as compared with vehicle treatment. Moreover, Arm attenuated the mRNA expression levels of col 1α2, TGF-β1, TIMP-1, ICAM-1, iNOS, and IL-6 genes, but up-regulated metallothionein genes. Our study results showed that Arm exerted both in vitro and in vivo antifibrotic effects in rats, possibly through anti-NF-κB activation pathways.
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Abstract
Suppression of activation or fibrogenesis and induction of apoptosis, in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been proposed as therapeutic strategies against liver fibrosis. Curcumin, an active compound isolated from yellow curry pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn), has been demonstrated to be an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antifibrogenic effects of curcumin on HSCs at the concentration range of (1-40 microM). A cell line of rat HSCs (HSC-T6) was stimulated with transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). The inhibitory effects of curcumin (1.25 approximately 10 microM) on fibrosis-related markers including alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen were assessed. In addition, the induction effects of curcumin (20 approximately 40 microM) on apoptosis in HSC-T6 cells were also assessed by Hoechst and propidium iodide stains. Curcumin (1.25 approximately 10 microM) concentration-dependently suppressed TGF-beta1-induced alpha-SMA expression and collagen deposition in HSC-T6 cells, without cytotoxicity. Whereas, higher concentrations of curcumin (20 approximately 40 microM) induced cell apoptosis and cytochrome c release in HSC-T6 cells. Our results suggest that curcumin exerted antifibrotic effects, possibly through two different mechanisms depending on its concentrations. At lower concentrations (1.25 approximately 10 microM), curcumin exerted antifibrogenic effects, whereas at higher concentrations (20 approximately 40 microM), curcumin exerted induction of apoptosis in HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lian Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM There is currently no safe and effective treatment for liver fibrosis. We have previously shown that Stephania tetrandra (ST) and Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) suppress cell proliferation and enhance apoptosis of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of these two herbs in vivo. METHODS Liver fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) injection in rats for 5 weeks. SM, ST or SM + ST was gavaged on day 1 of CCl(4) administration to study the preventive effects of herbs on hepatic fibrosis. In a separate study designed to assess possible fibrosis regression, rats were randomly allocated to be treated with SM, ST or SM + ST when fibrosis was established. Liver injury and collagen content were assessed. HSC activation and apoptosis were determined. RESULTS As compared with the CCL(4)-only rats, serum ALT was significantly lower in CCl(4)-treated rats that received either SM (P < 0.01) or ST (P < 0.01). Administration of ST significantly prevented (P < 0.01) or reversed the hepatic fibrosis (P < 0.01) induced by CCL(4). Moreover, rats treated with ST had reduced protein expression of alpha-SMA both in prevention (P < 0.05) and in regression (P < 0.01) experiments. The double-color staining of alpha-SMA and TUNEL showed that ST increased HSC apoptosis. However, co-treatment of SM + ST did not increase the antifibrotic effect of ST. CONCLUSIONS Stephania tetrandra safely and effectively prevents and reverses hepatic fibrosis through activating HSC apoptosis in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josette S Y Chor
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In chronic liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) acquire an activated phenotype, migrate to the injured region in response to chemotactic factors, and produce extracellular matrix proteins including collagen. In this study, we investigated the effects of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.) on transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-induced expressions of alpha-smooth-muscle actin (SMA) and collagen, and the migration of HSCs. METHODS HSC-T6, a cell line of rat HSCs, was used in the in vitro experiments. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Sircol red assay were used to detect the expressions of alpha-SMA and collagen, respectively. HSC-T6 migration was assayed with a transwell apparatus. Phosphorylations of Smad2/3 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), were analyzed with Western blotting. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity was examined by gelatin zymography. RESULTS The results revealed that a rhubarb extract concentration-dependently attenuated TGF-beta1-induced alpha-SMA and collagen expressions and migration of HSCs. The inhibitory effect of rhubarb was associated with (i) down-regulation of the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and JNK, and (ii) attenuation of MMP-2 activity. Within the working concentrations used, the rhubarb extract did not affect cell viability of HSCs. CONCLUSION The results suggest that rhubarb attenuated TGF-beta1-mediated migration of HSCs possibly by interfering with Smad2/3 phosphorylation, the MAPK pathway, and MMP-2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lian Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wang GJ, Huang YJ, Chen DH, Lin YL. Ganoderma lucidum
extract attenuates the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by blocking the PDGF receptor. Phytother Res 2008; 23:833-9. [DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis has been characterized as chronic inflammatory processes involving multiple molecular pathogenetic pathways. This therapeutic study investigated whether a combination regimen of Salvia miltiorrhiza (S), Ligusticum chuanxiong (L) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (G) exerted in vivo antifibrotic effects on rats with hepatic fibrosis. Fibrosis was induced in rats by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) administration for 4 weeks. Fibrotic rats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: control, SLG (50 mg/kg) or silymarin (50 mg/kg), each given by gavage twice daily for 3 weeks starting 1 week after DMN injection. The results showed that fibrosis scores of livers from DMN-treated rats with SLG (1.13 +/- 0.13) were significantly reduced in comparison with DMN-treated rats receiving vehicle (1.63 +/- 0.18). Moreover, the hepatic collagen content of DMN rats was significantly reduced by either SLG or silymarin treatment. The double immunohistochemical staining results also showed that alpha-SMA positive cells with NF kappa B nuclear translocation were decreased in the fibrotic livers by SLG and silymarin treatments. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-beta1, alpha-SMA, collagen1 alpha 2, iNOS and ICAM-1 genes were attenuated by SLG and silymarin treatment. The results showed that SLG exerted antifibrotic effects in rats with DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lian Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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16
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Park EJ, Zhao YZ, Kim YC, Sohn DH. Bakuchiol-induced caspase-3-dependent apoptosis occurs through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated mitochondrial translocation of Bax in rat liver myofibroblasts. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 559:115-23. [PMID: 17292878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2006] [Revised: 12/28/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis may be reversible, possibly through the selective clearance of activated hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts by apoptosis. Hepatic stellate cells transdifferentiate into myofibroblast-phenotype cells in culture, a process that recapitulates hepatic stellate cell activation in vivo. Bakuchiol, a prenylated phenolic terpene isolated from the seed of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae), reduced activated hepatic stellate cells when treated to rats during liver injury recovery period as demonstrated by alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostaining in rat liver and induced apoptosis in activated hepatic stellate cells/myofibroblasts as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm, translocation of Bax into mitochondria, and the proteolytic cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in vitro. Bakuchiol-induced apoptosis was prevented by z-DEVD-fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase-3, and z-VAD-fmk, a general caspase inhibitor, suggesting that bakuchiol-induced apoptosis occurs through a caspase-3-dependent pathway in vitro. Bakuchiol treatment stimulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in vitro. Pretreatment with SP600125 attenuated the bakuchiol-induced translocation of Bax into mitochondria, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, caspase-3 activation, and PARP cleavage. In contrast, preincubation with SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, and U0126, an ERK inhibitor, had no effect on bakuchiol-induced cell death and caspase-3 activity. Taken together, these findings indicate that bakuchiol induces caspase-3-dependent apoptosis through the activation of JNK, followed by Bax translocation into mitochondria in rat liver myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jeon Park
- Department of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea
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17
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Abstract
Suppression of activation or proliferation, or induction of apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have been proposed as therapeutic strategies against liver fibrosis. Salvia miltiorrhiza has been reported to exert antifibrotic effects in rats with hepatic fibrosis, but its mechanisms of action remain to be clarified. We have investigated the effects of salvianolic acid A (Sal A), an active principle from S. miltiorrhiza, on the proliferation-related biomarkers in a cell line of rat HSCs (HSC-T6) stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor-BB homodimer (PDGF-BB). DNA synthesis (bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation), cell cycle related proteins and apoptosis markers were determined to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Sal A. The results showed that Sal A (1-10 microM) concentration-dependently attenuated PDGF-BB-stimulated proliferation (BrdU incorporation) in HSC-T6 cells. Sal A at 10 microM induced cell apoptosis in PDGF-BB-incubated HSCs, together with a reduction of Bcl-2 protein expression, induction of cell cycle inhibitory proteins p21 and p27, and down-regulation of cyclins D1 and E, suppression of Akt phosphorylation, reduction in PDGF receptor phosphorylation, and an increase in caspase-3 activity. Sal A exerted no direct cytotoxicity on primary hepatocytes and HSC-T6 cells under experimental concentrations. Our results suggested that Sal A inhibited PDGF-BB-activated HSC proliferation, partially through apoptosis induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Lian Lin
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei 112, Taiwan
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