The circadian clock gene, BMAL1, promotes radiosensitization in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the TGF-β1/Smads/Snail1 axis

Acquired radio-resistance is thought to be one of the main causes of recurrent metastasis after failure of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy, which may be related to X-ray-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation. The circadian clock gene, BMAL1, has been shown to correlate with the sensitivity of NPCs to radiotherapy, but the specific mechanism has not been reported. NPC cells were irradiated by conventional fractionation to generate radiotherapy-resistant cells. NPC cells with BMAL1 gene stabilization/overexpression and interference were obtained by lentiviral transfection. Western blotting, colony formation analysis, cell counting kit-8 assays, wound-healing tests, Transwell assays, flow cytometry, the EDU method, nuclear plasma separation experiments, HE staining, immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL staining were performed to explore the influence and molecular mechanism of the circadian clock gene, BMAL1, on NPC-acquired radio-resistance and EMT through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The results indicated that there was a gradual downregulation of BMAL1 gene protein expression during the routine dose induction of radio-resistance in NPC cells. EMT activation was present in the radiation-resistant cell line 5-8FR, and was accompanied by the significant enhancement of proliferation, migration and invasion. The BMAL1 gene significantly increased the radiosensitivity of the radiation-resistant cell line 5-8FR and reversed the acquired radio-resistance of NPCs, which was accomplished by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smads/Snail1 axis-mediated EMT.

Ling-Gui-Qi-Hua formula alleviates left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1 /Smads signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ling-Qui-Qi-Hua (LGQH) decoction, composed of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl, Paeonia veitchii Lynch, and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz., is a compound formula derived from Ling-Gui-Zhu-Gan decoction recorded in the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous. It has shown cardioprotective effects on patients or rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Nevertheless, the active ingredients of LGQH and its anti-fibrotic mechanism remain unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the active ingredients in LGQH decoction and verify that LGQH decoction may inhibit left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis in HFpEF rats by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway from the perspective of animal experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology was used to identify active components in the LGQH decoction. Secondly, a rat model of the metabolic syndrome-associated HFpEF phenotype was established and subsequently received LGQH intervention. The mRNA and protein expression of targets in the TGF-β1/Smads pathway were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Finally, molecular docking was conducted to examine the interactions between the active ingredients in the LGQH decoction and key proteins of the TGF-β1/Smads pathways.

RESULTS

According to LC-MS analysis, the LGQH decoction contained 13 active ingredients. In animal experiments, LGQH attenuated LV hypertrophy, enlargement, and diastolic function in HEpEF rats. Mechanically, LGQH not only down-regulated TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, α-SMA, Coll I, and Coll III mRNA expressions and TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, P-Smad2/Smad3, Smad4, α-SMA, and Coll I protein expressions, but also up-regulated Smad7 mRNA and protein expressions, which ultimately led to myocardial fibrosis. Furthermore, molecular docking confirmed that 13 active ingredients in the LGQH decoction have excellent binding activities to the critical targets of the TGF-β1/Smads pathway.

CONCLUSION

LGQH is a modified herbal formulation with multiple active ingredients. It might alleviate LV remodeling and diastolic dysfunction and inhibit LV myocardial fibrosis by blocking TGF-β1/Smads pathways in HFpEF rats.

Salvianolic Acid A Improves Rat Kidney Injury by Regulating MAPKs and TGF-β1/Smads Signaling Pathways

Salvianolic acid A (SAA) is one of the major components in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., with various pharmacological activities, and is likely to be a promising agent for the treatment of kidney diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect and mechanisms of SAA on kidney disease. In this study, the improvement effects of SAA (10, 20, 40 mg/kg, i.g.) on kidney injury rats were investigated by detecting the levels of KIM-1, NGAL in serum and UP in the urine of AKI model rats established with gentamicin, as well as the levels of SCr and UREA in serum and IL-6, IL-12, MDA and T-SOD in the kidneys of CKD model rats established with 5/6 nephrectomy. HE and Masson staining were used to observe the histopathological changes in the kidney. Network pharmacology and Western blotting were used to explore the mechanism of SAA in improving kidney injury. The results showed that SAA improved kidney function in kidney injury rats by reducing the kidney index and pathological injury by HE and Masson staining, reducing the levels of KIM-1, NGAL and UP in AKI rats and UREA, SCr and UP in CKD rats, as well as exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects by inhibiting the release of IL-6 and IL-12, reducing MDA and increasing T-SOD. Western blotting results showed that SAA significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, p38, JNK and smad2/3, and the expression of TLR-4 and smad7. In conclusion, SAA plays a significant role in improving kidney injury in rats and the mechanism may be achieved by regulating the MAPKs and TGF-β1/smads signaling pathways.

The Protective Effect of SLNP on Hepatic Fibrosis Induced by Thioacetamide in Rats

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased in recent years. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is an important step in the progression of NAFLD to cirrhosis and even carcinoma and is also recognized as a possible reversal phase.

AIMS

We previously found that the aqueous extract of Sedum Lineare Thunb. has hepatoprotective effects. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism of the Sedum Lineare Thunb. n-butanol phase (SLNP) on HF in rats.

METHODS

Animals were intraperitoneally injected with thioacetamide solution twice a week for 8 weeks to prepare an HF model and were administered the corresponding drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by intragastric administration once a day for 8 weeks. Liver function, hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Na+-K+-ATPase, and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were analyzed using colorimetric methods. Moreover, mRNA expression and protein levels in the liver tissue were detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that SLNP could effectively improve the liver function of rats with HF and significantly reduce the content of hydroxyproline; the mRNA expression and protein levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, III, and IV, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), Smad2/3, and Smad4 were also significantly reduced. Simultaneously, SLNP significantly increased the activities of SOD, Na+-K+- ATPase, and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the rat liver tissues, whereas it reduced the levels of MDA and SOD in the serum and liver tissues.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that SLNP elicits an anti-fibrotic effect by inhibiting oxidative stress and stellate cell activation, thereby reducing the formation and deposition of the extracellular matrix. The TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway may be involved in this process.

Inhibition of miR-497 Attenuates Oral Submucous Fibrosis by Inhibiting Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation in Buccal Mucosal Fibroblasts

PURPOSE

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a common chronic condition with poor prognosis, and existing therapies for OSF are limited in effectiveness. This study was designed to explore the role of miR-497 in arecoline (AR)-induced OSF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After miR-497 was silenced or overexpressed in buccal mucosa fibroblasts (BMFs), different concentrations of AR (5-200 μg/ml) were applied to incubate BMFs, and 50 μg/ml of AR was chosen for subsequent experiments. Thereafter, collagen gel contraction assay was used to detect the contractile capacity of BMFs. Transwell assay and wound healing assay were applied to detect migration and invasiveness of the cells. In addition, immunofluorescence staining, qRT-PCR and western blot were conducted to measure the expression of miR-497, collagen I and α-SMA, as well as the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3.

RESULTS

After successful inhibition or overexpression of miR-497 in AR-induced BMFs, the results showed that miR- 497 inhibition suppressed the contractility, migration and invasiveness of AR-induced BMFs, whereas overexpression of miR-497 produced the opposite. In addition, miR-497 inhibition down-regulated the expression level of collagen I and α-SMA in AR-exposed BMFs. Furthermore, TGF-β1 expression, Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation were also repressed in AR-induced BMFs after miR-497 inhibition. Correspondingly, overexpression of miR-497 reversed the expression of the aforementioned proteins.

CONCLUSION

miR-497 inhibition may attenuate OSF by inhibiting myofibroblast transdifferentiation in BMFs via the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, indicating that miR-497 might represent an underlying target for treating OSF.

Curdione and Schisandrin C Synergistically Reverse Hepatic Fibrosis via Modulating the TGF-β Pathway and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress

Hepatic fibrosis is the final pathway of several chronic liver diseases, which is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix due to chronic hepatocyte damage. Activation of hepatic stellate cells and oxidative stress (OS) play an important role in mediating liver damage and initiating hepatic fibrosis. Hence, hepatic fibrosis can be reversed by inhibiting multiple channels such as oxidative stress, liver cell damage, or activation of hepatic stellate cells. Liuwei Wuling Tablets is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with the effect of anti- hepatic fibrosis, but the composition and mechanism of reversing hepatic fibrosis are still unclear. Our study demonstrated that one of the main active components of the Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis, schisandrin C (Sin C), significantly inhibited oxidative stress and prevented hepatocyte injury. Meanwhile one of the main active components of the Chinese medicine Curdione inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation by targeting the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. The further in vivo experiments showed that Sin C, Curdione and the combination of both have the effect of reversing liver fibrosis in mice, and the combined effect of inhibiting hepatic fibrosis is superior to treatment with Sin C or Curdione alone. Our study provides a potential candidate for multi-molecular or multi-pathway combination therapies for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and demonstrates that combined pharmacotherapy holds great promise in the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Transfected Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Hepatic Stellate Cells by Regulating Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smads Signaling Pathway

Studies have shown that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) could ameliorate liver fibrosis (LF) through inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the specific mechanisms have not been studied clearly. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible mechanism of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-transfected hUCMSCs in inhibiting the proliferation and activation of HSCs-T6. The upper and lower double-cell coculture system was established among HGF-hUCMSCs, LV5-NC-hUCMSCs, hUCMSCs, and HSCs-T6 in experimental groups; HSCs-T6 were cultured alone as control group. After coculturing for 1, 2, and 3 days, results showed that HGF-transfected hUCMSCs could decrease cell viability of HSCs-T6 and promote apoptosis; inhibit their activation and reduce the expression of Collagen I, Collagen III, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3, which may be related to inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. These findings suggested that HGF-transfected hUCMSCs may be used as an alternative and novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of LF.

[Effects of BiejiaYugan Granule on TGF-β1/Smads pathway in rats with hepatic fibrosis caused by compound factors]

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Biejia Yugan Granule on hepatic fibrosis caused by compound factors in rats and its effect on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, colchicine group, Biejia Yugan Granule low, medium and high dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g/kg) groups (n= 8 in each group). The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by treating with 5% alcohol 15 ml/kg (ig) everyday and injecting with 40% carbon tetrachloride (sc) twice a week for 42 days. The effects of Biejia Yugan Granule on liver function, liver index and water content, serum hepatic fibrosis related indicators, key proteins and gene expression of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in rats were observed. Results: Biejia Yugan Granule at the doses of 1.85, 3.70 and 7.40 g/kg could decrease the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and HA, PCⅢ, C-Ⅳ, LN significantly, reduce the water content of liver tissue leads to the decrease of liver index, regulate the liver tissue TGF-β1, Smad3 mRNA and Smad7 mRNA expressions. Conclusion: Biejia Yugan Granule has obvious effects of reducing enzyme and protecting liver and inhibiting hepatic fibrosis, and inhibiting TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway is one of its mechanisms of anti-hepatic fibrosis.

Paeoniflorin attenuates DHEA-induced polycystic ovary syndrome via inactivation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in vivo

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reproductive endocrine disorders which are involved in complicated and unknown pathogenic mechanisms. Paeoniflorin (PAE) plays a significant anti-fibrotic role according to previous studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of PAE on ovarian fibrosis and its underlying mechanism in PCOS development. An animal model of PCOS was established by subcutaneous injection of 60mg/kg/d dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 35 consecutive days. Rats in PAE-L, PAE-M and PAE-H groups were administrated by gavage with PAE (20, 40, 80 mg/kg/d) for 4 weeks. Our results indicated that DHEA-induced PCOS rats showed similar phenotypes with PCOS patients. PAE could significantly block the DHEA-induced decline of ovary weight and organ coefficient, shorten the prolonged diestrus period, and regulate the irregular estrous cycle of PCOS rats. Moreover, PAE regulated reproductive hormone levels and improved ovarian fibrosis induced by DHEA. PAE treatment could also reduce the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3, and increase the expression levels of Smad7 and MMP2. In conclusion, PAE significantly attenuated the ovarian fibrosis in PCOS, which could be mediated by TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Herein, PAE can be used for the treatment of ovarian fibrosis in PCOS progression.

Ultrasound‑targeted microbubble destruction‑mediated Galectin‑7‑siRNA promotes the homing of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate acute myocardial infarction in rats

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are accepted as a form of cellular therapy to improve cardiac function following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present study was performed to investigate the synergistic effect of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD)-mediated Galectin-7-small interfering (si)RNA with the homing of BMSCs for AMI. The rat model of AMI was established, followed by identification of BMSCs. Rats with AMI received BMSC transplantation, BMSC transplantation + UTMD + siRNA negative control, or BMSC transplantation + UTMD + Galectin-7-siRNA. The cardiac function, hemodynamics indexes, degree of myocardial fiber injury and expression of apoptosis-related proteins in myocardial tissues of rats were detected. The homing of BMSCs was observed, and the indexes of myocardial microenvironment and the TGF-β/Smads pathway-related proteins in myocardial tissues were determined. AMI rats treated with UTMD-mediated Galectin-7-siRNA exhibited improved cardiac function and hemodynamics-related indices, decreased myocardial fiber injury and apoptotic cells, as well as enhanced homing ability of BMSCs, improved myocardial microenvironment, and suppressed TGF-β1/Smads pathway activation. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that UTMD-mediated Galectin-7-siRNA treatment could enhance the homing ability of BMSCs, thus alleviating AMI in rats.

Downregulation of MicroRNA-494 inhibits the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and prevents the development of hypospadias through upregulating Nedd4L

BACKGROUND

Hypospadias, as a congenital disorder of the urethra, is the second most common birth abnormality of the male reproductive system. This study primarily investigates the effects of microRNA-494 (miR-494) on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway and on the development of hypospadias by binding to neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-like (Nedd4L).

METHODS

We induced a mouse model of hypospadias through di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate treatment. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of miR-494 in this model were analyzed upon treatment of miR-494 mimic, miR-494 inhibitor, or small interfering RNA against Nedd4L in urethral epithelial cells isolated from mice with hypospadias. We then verified the binding site between miR-494 and Nedd4L and applied a gain- and loss-of-function approach to determine the effects of miR-494 on cell proliferation, cycle distribution, and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Male mice with hypospadias exhibited significantly higher miR-494 expression and lower Nedd4L expression in urethral tissues than normal male mice. Nedd4L was verified as a target gene of miR-494. Treatment with miR-494 inhibitor suppressed the activation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, whereas down-regulation of miR-494 exerted protective effects on urethral epithelial cells by impeding cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates that downregulation of miR-494 inhibits the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and prevents the development of hypospadias through upregulating Nedd4L.

[Effective components of traditional Chinese medicine for regulating TGF-Beta1/Smads signaling pathway in hepatic fibrosis]

Hepatic fibrosis is a liver damage healing response affected by a variety of factors; its formation is associated with multiple cytokines and a variety of signaling pathways. Transforming growth factor beta1( TGF-β1) is one of the strongest fibrosis cytokines known,and involves almost all the key links in hepatic fibrosis. TGF-β1/Smads signal pathway is the most classical pathway for TGF-β1 to play its role in promoting fibrosis as well as one of the most important signaling pathways of hepatic fibrosis formation. Studies for the signal pathway have made a series of scientific research achievements in recently years. Traditional Chinese medicine has the advantages of " multiple ingredients,multiple targets and less side effects",and is widely used in the clinical treatment of hepatic fibrosis.Effective components of traditional Chinese medicine are monomer compounds,which are extracted and purified from traditional Chinese medicine. Nowadays,the molecular biology studies of effective traditional Chinese medicine have become a hotspot. Modern advanced technology and methods can be used to directly clarify the targets and the signaling pathways,reveal the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating diseases,and promote the modernization and international development of traditional Chinese medicine industry. This review summarized the structure,function and application of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in the progress of anti-hepatic fibrosis,and analyzed the action mode and possible mechanism of various effective components of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and intervening the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in the past five years,so as to put forward new ideas for innovating new targeted traditional Chinese medicine for hepatic fibrosis.

Overexpression of microRNA-202-3p protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury through activation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway by targeting TRPM6

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to act as key regulators in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury. In this study, we explore the role and mechanism of microRNA-202-3p (miR-202-3p) in regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis, in respective of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway by targeting the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily M, member 6 (TRPM6). The targeting relationship between miR-202-3p and TRPM6 was verified by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Sprague-Dawley rat models of myocardial I/R injury were initially established and treated with different mimics, inhibitors and siRNAs to test the effects of miR-202-3p and TRPM6 on myocardial I/R injury. The levels of inflammatory factors; IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α as well as the degree of myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were determined in rats transfected with different plasmids. TRPM6 was found to be the target of miR-202-3p. Up-regulated miR-202-3p or knockdown of TRPM-6 alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory response, reduced ventricular mass, altered cardiac hemodynamics, suppressed myocardial infarction, attenuated cell apoptosis, and inhibited myocardial fibrosis. MiR-202-3p overexpression activates the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway by negatively regulating TRPM6 expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-202-3p offers protection against ventricular remodeling after myocardial I/R injury via activation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Effect of echinacoside on kidney fibrosis by inhibition of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in the db/db mice model of diabetic nephropathy

Kidney fibrosis and renal tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are the main pathological changes of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which eventually leads to end-stage renal disease. Previous studies have suggested that echinacoside (ECH) is antifibrotic in the liver. However, the effect of ECH on kidney fibrosis in DN and its mechanisms are unknown. This study was performed to explore the effect of ECH on kidney fibrosis and also the molecular mechanisms of ECH in a db/db mice model of DN. Our results showed that, relative to db/db mice, the mice in the ECH group had an improved general state and reduced blood glucose and 24-hour urinary protein levels. The deterioration of renal function was delayed due to treatment with ECH. We also observed that ECH can improve histopathological findings in the kidneys of db/db mice, including collagen deposition, mesangial cell and mesangial matrix hyperplasia, basement membrane thickening, and podocyte reduction. Moreover, ECH inhibited the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, downregulated fibronectin (FN), collagen IV, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, and upregulated E-cadherin level in the db/db mice model of DN. Our findings indicate that ECH has a therapeutic effect on DN, including the inhibition of renal tubular EMT and kidney fibrosis. Furthermore, ECH inhibits kidney fibrosis through regulation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Mast cell chymase promotes hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis by activating TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway

The present study assessed the existence of mast cell chymase in hypertrophic scars and determined whether chymase promotes fibrosis via the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smads signaling pathway. Five patients with hypertrophic scars and another five patients subjected to repair and reconstruction of other tissue defects were included in the present study. To detect the existence of mast cells and mast cell chymase in hypertrophic scars, immunohistochemistry was employed. To test the effect of chymase on TGF-β1, angiotensin, and type I and III collagen mRNA expression in isolated hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in vitro, reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was performed. To investigate how chymase affects TGF-β1, phosphorylated (P)-Smad2/3 as well as Smad4 and Smad7 protein expression, western blot analysis was used. Mast cell chymase was identified to promote the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, angiotensin, and type I and III collagen in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with 60 ng/ml mast cell chymase for 12 h led to the upregulation of TGF-β1, P-Smad2/3, Smad4 and Smad7 in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. The present study demonstrated that mast cells and chymase are present in hypertrophic scars, and chymase promotes hypertrophic scar fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis by activating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Celastrol protects TGF-β1-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition

The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial cells contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis, ultimately leading to cardiac remodeling. In this study, the effects and molecular mechanisms of celastrol (CEL) on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC-12) cells were investigated. The presented data demonstrated that CEL significantly blocked the morphology change of HUVEC-12 cells induced by TGF-β1 without cell cytotoxicity. In accordance with these findings, CEL blocked TGF-β1-induced EndMT as evidenced by the inhibition of the mesenchymal markers, including collagen I, III, α-SMA, fibronectin mRNA expression, and the increase in the mRNA expression of endothelial cell marker CD31. These changes were also confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining of CD31 and vimentin. The in vitro scratch assay showed that CEL inhibited the migration capacity of the transitioned endothelial cells induced by TGF-β1. Further experiments showed that the beneficial effect of CEL on blocking the EndMT in HUVEC-12 cells was associated with the suppression of the TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway, which was also confirmed by the inhibition of its downstream transcription factor snail1, twist1, twist2, ZEB1 and ZEB2. These results indicate that CEL blocks TGF-β1-induced EndMT through TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway and suggest that it may be a feasible therapy for cardiac fibrosis diseases.