PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
·
2025
·
IF 6.3
Yichao Du,Junjie Bai,Tingting Ma,Ziming Wu,Pengru Wang,Xiaolin Zhong,Wenguang Fu,Shuixiang He
Liver fibrosis, a pivotal pathological feature in the progression of chronic liver injury, currently lacks effective therapies. Sinomenine (SIN), a bioactive alkaloid derived from traditional Chinese medicine, demonstrates diverse pharmacological properties. However, its therapeutic potential and mechanisms in liver fibrosis remain inadequately characterized. This study investigates the anti-fibrotic effects of SIN and its underlying molecular mechanisms. The anti-fibrotic efficacy of SIN was evaluated in two murine models of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) or bile duct ligation (BDL), along with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). Serum biochemical markers, histopathological analyses (Hematoxylin–Eosin, Sirius red, and Masson's trichrome staining), immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were employed to assess hepatic injury and collagen deposition. Western blotting elucidated molecular mechanisms. SIN administration significantly attenuated hepatic injury in CCl 4 - or BDL-induced mice, as evidenced by reduced transaminase levels and improved histopathological features. In both in vivo and in vitro models, SIN suppressed fibrogenesis by decreasing collagen deposition and downregulating expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and collagen I. Mechanistically, SIN inhibited the TGF-β/SMAD pathway through reduced phosphorylation of SMAD2/3 and attenuated c-JUN signaling via diminished phosphorylated c-JUN levels. Pretreatment with TP0427736 (a SMAD2/3 inhibitor) or SP600125 (a c-JUN inhibitor) synergistically enhanced SIN-mediated α-SMA suppression in HSC-T6 cells. SIN ameliorates liver fibrosis through inhibition of TGF-β/SMAD and c-JUN signaling pathways. These findings position SIN as a promising therapeutic candidate for liver fibrotic disorders.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝脏病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
·
2025
·
IF 8.3
Jun-Han Wang,Min Li,Peng-Fei Xie,Jia-Yao Si,Zhen-Jie Feng,Chuan-Feng Tang,Jian-Mei Li
Background Aging-related skin fibrosis (SF) is a complex condition with limited treatment options. Procyanidin C1 (PCC1), a natural polyphenolic compound with demonstrated senolytic activity, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for fibrotic disorders through its selective elimination of senescent cells. However, its therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms in aging-related SF remain unclear. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of PCC1 in aging-related SF. Results In D-galactose-induced L929 cells, PCC1 treatment significantly attenuated the expression of both senescence-associated markers (IL-1β, P16, P21 and LMNB1) and fibrosis-related markers (α-SMA, LOXL2 and COL1). Network pharmacology and experimental validation (molecular docking, DARTS, CETSA, MST) identified EGFR as a primary target, with PCC1 directly binding to and inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation. Furthermore, PCC1 treatment effectively down-regulated TGFβ1 expression and suppressed SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in D-galactose-induced L929 cells. Notably, PCC1 blocked NSC228155-induced EGFR phosphorylation and inhibited ERK/MAPK, AKT/mTOR and TGFβ/SMAD pathway activation. In bleomycin-induced SF mice, PCC1 significantly attenuated epidermal hyperplasia, improved collagen structure, restored the collagen I/III ratio, and reduced EGFR phosphorylation along with TGFβ1 expression and SMAD2/3 phosphorylation. Conclusion This study elucidates that PCC1 exerts its anti-fibrotic effects through dual mechanisms: resistance to cellular senescence and modulation of fibroblast heterogeneity. By directly binding to EGFR and inhibiting its phosphorylation, PCC1 subsequently suppresses multiple downstream signaling cascades, ultimately ameliorating TGFβ/SMAD-mediated SF. These findings establish PCC1 as a promising therapeutic candidate for aging-related skin fibrosis, offering a novel approach through targeted EGFR inhibition and comprehensive pathway modulation .
研究领域:
医学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
·
2021
·
IF 6.05
Xu Yan,Qu Xiaobo,Zhou Jia,Lv Guangfu,Han Dong,Liu Jinlong,Liu Yuexin,Chen Ying,Qu Peng,Huang Xiaowei
Adriamycin (ADR)-based combination chemotherapy is the standard treatment for some patients with tumors in clinical, however, long-term application can cause dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Pilose Antler, as a traditional Chinese medicine, first appeared in the Han Dynasty and has been used to treat heart disease for nearly a thousand years. Previous data revealed pilose antler polypeptide (PAP, 3.2KD) was one of its main active components with multiple biological activities for cardiomyopathy. PAP-3.2KD exerts protective effects againt myocardial fibrosis. The present study demonstrated the protective mechanism of PAP-3.2KD against Adriamycin (ADR)-induced myocardial injury through using animal model with ADR-induced myocardial injury. PAP-3.2KD markedly improved the weight increase and decreased the HW/BW index, heart rate, and ST height in ADR-induced groups. Additionally, PAP-3.2KD reversed histopathological changes (such as disordered muscle bundles, myocardial fibrosis and diffuse myocardial cellular edema) and scores of the heart tissue, ameliorated the myocardial fibrosis and collagen volume fraction through pathological examination, significantly increased the protein level of Bcl-2, and decreased the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 in myocardial tissue by ELISA, compared to those in ADR-induced group. Furthermore, ADR stimulation induced the increased protein levels of TGF-β1 and SMAD2/3/4, the increased phosphorylation levels of SMAD2/3 and the reduced protein levels of SMAD7. The expression levels of protein above in ADR-induced group were remarkably reversed in PAP-3.2KD-treated groups. PAP-3.2KD ameliorated ADR-induced myocardial injury by regulating the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. Thus, these results provide a strong rationale for the protective effects of PAP against ADR-induced myocardial injury, when ADR is used to treat cancer.
研究领域:
药理学
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心脏病学
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传统中药
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分子生物学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Genes
·
2024
·Vol. 15
·期 12
·1575
·
IF 2.8
Dandan Wu,Xinning Sun,Xin Li,Zongchao Zuo,Dong Yan,Wu Yin
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Untimely treatment and high recurrence are currently the major challenges for HCC. The identification of potential targets of HCC progression is crucial for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses have been employed to discover genes that are differentially expressed in clinical cases of HCC. A variety of pharmacological methods, such as MTT, colony formation, EdU, Western blotting, Q-PCR, wound healing, Transwell, cytoskeleton F-actin filaments, immunohistochemistry (IHC), hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining, and dual-luciferase reporter assay analyses, were utilized to study the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2) in HCC. Results: RRM2 expression is significantly elevated in HCC, which is well correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that RRM2 promoted HCC cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, RRM2 modulates the EMT phenotype of HCC, and further studies have shown that RRM2 facilitates the activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling, significantly inhibited RRM2-induced cell migration. Furthermore, RRM2 expression was correlated with diminished survival in HBV-associated HCC patients. RRM2 knockdown decreased the levels of HBV RNA, pgRNA, cccDNA, and HBV DNA in HepG2.2.15 cells exhibiting sustained HBV infection, while RRM2 knockdown inhibited the activity of the HBV Cp, Xp, and SpI promoters. Conclusion: RRM2 is involved in the progression of HCC by activating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. RRM2 increases HBV transcription in HBV-expressing HCC cells. Targeting RRM2 may be of potential value in the treatment of HCC.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
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分子生物学
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肝脏病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Molecular Medicine Reports
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2025
·Vol. 32
·期 1
·1-12
·
IF 3.5
Lijuan Liang,Zhiheng Dong,Ziqing Shen,Yifan Zang,Wenlong Yang,Lan Wu,Lidao Bao
Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a critical marker of advanced‑stage chronic liver disease and involves pivotal contributions from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Currently, there are no effective treatments for HF. Umbelliferone (7‑hydroxycoumarin; UMB) is a natural compound with significant anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant and anti‑tumor activities. However, its potential efficacy in treating HF has not been studied. The present study explored the protective effects of UMB against HF, targeting the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway to explore the underlying mechanisms of UMB. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was injected intraperitoneally to induce HF in rats and primary HSCs were treated in vitro with UMB to investigate the improvement effect of UMB on HF. The levels of fibrosis markers, inflammation, oxidative stress and TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway in the rat liver tissue and HSCs were detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, Cell Counting Kit‑8 and western blotting. The improvement in liver histopathology, liver function indexes and fibrosis markers demonstrated that UMB markedly inhibited the CCl4‑induced HF and inflammation in the rats. Additionally, UMB prominently reduced the pro‑inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels. In vitro, UMB markedly inhibited primary HSC activation and decreased alpha‑smooth muscle actin and collagen I expression. The mechanism experiment proved that UMB inhibited the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway and ameliorated HF. The present study was the first to demonstrate, to the best of the authors' knowledge, that UMB might be a promising natural active compound for treating HF. Its therapeutic effect is associated with its modulation of the TGF‑β1‑Smad signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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肝脏病学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Applied Biological Chemistry
·
2024
·Vol. 67
·期 1
·1-11
·
IF 2.3
Yu Ziqing,He Wen,Shi Weiwu
All chronic renal disorders eventually lead to renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF). Chronic inflammation and pro-fibrotic substances are familiar companions of the fibrotic process. The Sulforaphane (Sul) molecule is particularly useful in protecting the liver from oxidative damage. To investigate the Sul effects on fibrosis markers and inflammatory proteins in the kidney of NRK52E cell line and rats and clarify the mechanism of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in a rat model of RIF were developed in the present study. Sul (50, 100, and 200 ng/ml) remarkably reduced the gene expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin (IL)-1β, collagen 3 (COL3A1), collagen 1 (COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibrotic NRK52E cells compared with those in cells inspired by transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α). Histopathological investigations showed that Sul administration retained renal tissue structure and decreased kidney tissue fibrosis in rats subjected to unilateral ureteral blockage (UUO). The expression level of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COL3A1, COL1A1, and α-SMA in the rats’ kidneys exposed to UUO was also suppressed by the treatment of Sul. In the present study, western blot analysis showed that Sul upregulated the expressions of fibrotic NRK52E cells Smad7 and rat model UUO groups while simultaneously decreasing the stimulation of Smad2/3 and the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2, NF-κB, Smad4, activator protein-1, and high-mobility group protein B1. Ultimately, Sul’s ability to inhibit the TGF-β/Smad pathway and the development of inflammation factors may mitigate RIF.
研究领域:
医学
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药理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Frontiers in Pharmacology
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2018
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IF 3.831
Zhang Zhi-Hao,Li Ming-Hua,Liu Dan,Chen Hua,Chen Dan-Qian,Tan Ning-Hua,Ma Shuang-Cheng,Zhao Ying-Yong
Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the final common pathway for all kidney diseases leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD). TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays a key role in renal fibrosis. Previous studies have revealed that rhubarb extracts attenuated the increase of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1) in CKD rats. To gain an in-depth insight into the mechanism of the anti-fibrotic activities of the rhubarb extracts, we investigated the influence of rhubarb extracts on TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the influence on metabolome in a rat model of CKD with adenine-induced chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, including control, CKD, CKD + petroleum ether extract, CKD + ethyl acetate extract, and CKD + n-butanol extract groups. Kidneys harvested on the week three were evaluated for renal fibrosis, the expression of proteins in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and metabolomic study. We found rhubarb extracts suppressed TGF-β/Smad3-mediated renal fibrosis by reducing the TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β receptor I (TGF-β RI), transforming growth factor-β receptor II (TGF-β RII), Smad2, p-Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad3, and Smad4, meanwhile increased Smad7. In addition, rhubarb extracts mitigated renal injury and dysfunction, and either fully or partially reversed the abnormalities of tissue metabolites. Thus, rebalancing the disorder of TGF-β/Smad signaling and metabolic dysfunction by treatment with rhubarb extracts may represent as an effective therapy for CKD associated with fibrosis.
研究领域:
药理学
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肾病学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
·
2025
·
IF 5.5
Chenyang Zhang,Chenghui Qian,Guang Yang,Yiying Zhu,Binbin Kang,Xiaohong Chen,Si Chen
Adding metal ions is a promising strategy to enhance the biological performance of titanium implants. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of yttrium on the osseointegration of titanium implants. First, a series of yttrium-doped titanium surfaces were fabricated via microarc oxidation (MAO) by incorporating yttrium acetate into the electrolyte, and then the surface characteristics of different substrates were evaluated. Subsequently, the cellular behaviors of different coatings were assessed, and the osteointegration effects were examined using a rat model. Finally, high-throughput sequencing was employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the yttrium-doped MAO coatings. As the results indicated, the proportion of yttrium in the coatings increased as the concentration of yttrium acetate improved. Surface characterization revealed that the yttrium-doped MAO coatings exhibited a homogeneous porous morphology, with comparable roughness and wettability to those of the undoped MAO coating, while the morphology became inconsistent when the yttrium acetate concentration reached 30 mM. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the addition of yttrium notably improved the cell adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MAO coatings when doped with a low proportion, accompanied by enhanced osseointegration according to the in vivo experiments. Further exploration revealed a significant enrichment of osseointegration-related signaling factors and the activation of BMP/Smad signaling in the effects of yttrium-doped titanium coatings, which was attributed to the excessive accumulation of phosphorylated Smad1/5/9 in the nucleus. In summary, our work demonstrates that the use of MAO coatings doped with a low proportion of yttrium can enhance the osseointegration of titanium implants, providing an efficient strategy to optimize titanium implant performance.
研究领域:
生物材料学
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组织工程学
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医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH
·
2023
·Vol. 28
·期 1
·1-12
·
IF 4.2
Jia Ji,Zhao Xing-an,Tao Si-ming,Wang Jun-wen,Zhang Rong-liang,Dai Hua-lei,Zhang Xin-jin,Han Ming-hua,Yang Bei,Li Yu,Li Jin-tao
Background Postinfarction cardiac remodeling presents a compensatory mechanism aimed at mitigating congestive heart failure. It is distinguished by progressive dilatation and hypertrophy of the ventricular chambers, fibrotic alterations, and prolonged apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of icariin on myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling in rats subjected to myocardial infarction (MI).Methods Male Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to randomization and subsequently divided into distinct groups: the control group, the sham group (undergoing sham operation), the MI group (experiencing ligation of the left anterior descending artery), and the icariin group. Within the icariin group, rats were further categorized into three different dose groups based on the administered icariin dosage: the MI30 group (30 mg/kg/day), the MI60 group (60 mg/kg/day), and the MI120 group (120 mg/kg/day). Cardiac function evaluation was carried out using echocardiography. Histological examinations, including hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry studies, were conducted 90 days after the occurrence of MI. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to assess TGF‐β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 levels.Results The administration of icariin revealed a noteworthy enhancement in cardiac function among rats afflicted with left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. In comparison to the icariin groups, the MI group exhibited reduced EF and FS, along with elevated LVEDD and LVESD. Furthermore, the cardiac fibrosis levels in the MI group rats exhibited a considerable increase compared to those in the icariin group. Notably, the levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, MMP2, and MMP9 were significantly higher in the MI group than in the icariin group, with evident distinctions. Moreover, the expression levels of TGF-β, IL-13, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were notably upregulated in the MI group compared to the icariin group.Conclusion sIn an experimental rat model of MI, the administration of icariin resulted in the amelioration of both cardiac function and remodeling processes, operating through the intricate TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
·
心脏病学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
·
2017
·
IF 3.791
Yi Cai,Wanqing Ma,Yichuan Xiao,Bo Wu,Xiaobing Li,Fengrong Liu,Jianhua Qiu,Genshui Zhang
Baicalin is a major flavonoid compound purified from Scutellariae radix , which has been described as an herb in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Previous studies have suggested baicalin possessed extensive anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral properties. However, up to known, there have been no reports of safety and toxicity in the rats following oral administration of baicalin. In this present study, we showed the first evidence that treatment of baicalin (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day) induced significantly kidney injury and fibrosis . The collagen synthesis and fibrosis-related protein expression were increased in the kidney of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after treatment with high doses of baicalin. We further investigated the potential molecular mechanism of baicalin-mediated renal fibrosis and revealed that baicalin activated the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we also observed that baicalin induced Smad3 interaction with transcriptional coactivator p300 accompanying with increment of Smad3 acetylation . Our results may contribute to better understanding of the future pharmacological and toxicological studies of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its active compounds on the human disease.
研究领域:
药理学
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毒理学
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分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
·
2022
·
IF 2.65
Fei Kong,Meng Zhao
Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a common clinical problem after myocardial infarction without effective therapy. Loureirin B (LrB) is a kind of flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activities. However, the effect of LrB on MI/R and its underlying mechanism remains elusive. In the present study, a mouse model of MI/R was established by coronary artery occlusion. Administration of LrB (0.5 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) for 4 weeks effectively improved left ventricular (LV) function and reduced myocardial infarction in MI/R mice. MI/R-induced expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the hearts was reduced by LrB treatment. Histological analysis showed that LrB attenuated myocardial collagen deposition. LrB downregulated fibronectin, collagen I, collagen III, and α-SMA expression. Notably, LrB inhibited the expression of profibrotic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β1R, and p-Smad2/3. Consistently, LrB inhibited the activation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in angiotensin (Ang) II-treated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Overexpression of PAI-1 abolished the effects of LrB on Ang II-treated CFs, suggesting that LrB may function through regulating PAI-1. These results indicated that LrB may alleviate MI/R-induced myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting PAI-1/TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Thus, LrB may be a potential drug in the treatment of MI/R injury.
研究领域:
心脏病学
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药理学
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分子生物学
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病理生理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
·
2022
·Vol. 24
·期 1
·1-11
·
IF 2.751
Lianjie Xu,Yurong Zhang,Nengbo Ji,Yan Du,Tao Jia,Shanshan Wei,Wei Wang,Shan Zhang,Wenhui Chen
Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is a major component extracted from the traditional herbal medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and has been indicated to play a role in the treatment of organ fibrosis. However, the evidence supporting its antifibrotic effect is insufficient and the underlying mechanism is unclear. To investigate the therapeutic effect of TIIA on non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis‑related fibrosis (NASH‑F), the present study used a methionine choline deficiency diet to induce NASH‑F in rats, and explored the effect of TIIA on the transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1)/Smad signaling pathway. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, NASH‑F and TIIA groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum markers associated with liver function and fibrosis were measured, liver fat vacuoles and inflammation were assessed by haematoxylin and eosin staining, and liver fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 and α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) mRNA expression, and TGF‑β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylated (p)‑Smad2/3, Smad7 and α‑SMA protein levels were determined. The results revealed that TIIA could remarkably ameliorate liver fat vacuoles and inflammation in NASH‑F rats, and could decrease the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, total bile acid, hyaluronic acid, type Ⅳ collagen, laminin and type III collagen, while increasing the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides; however, this was not statistically significance. TIIA markedly suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3 and α‑SMA mRNA expression levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the mRNA expression level of Smad7. Similarly, TIIA suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, p‑Smad2/3 and α‑SMA protein levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the protein expression level of Smad7 in vitro and in vivo. TIIA had no significant cytotoxic effect at 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/l on human LX‑2 cell. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that TIIA alleviated NASH‑F by regulating the TGF‑β1/Smad signaling pathway. TIIA may be a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of NASH‑F.
研究领域:
药理学
·
肝病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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