Suppressive Effects Of Yigankang, A Combination Of Chinese Herbs, On Collagen Synthesis In Hepatic Stellate Cell

Background/Aim: Clinical practice and animal research demonstrated that YiGanKang, a combination of Chinese herbs, has anti-fibrosis effects in chronic liver diseases. However, the mechanism is not clear. The present study is to investigate the inhibiting mechanism of YiGanKang on collagen type I synthesis induced by Interleukin-1 beta(IL-1 beta) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).Methods: Cultured rat HSCs were divided into 4 groups, control, IL-1 beta treated group, IL-1 beta + YiGanKang group and IL-1 beta + SB203580 (the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor) treated group. The expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), was evaluated by Western blot, collagen type I synthesis was examined by H-3-Pro incorporation.Results: Type I collagen synthesis in HSCs increased significantly under the stimulation of IL-1 beta for 24 h, YiGanKang could inhibit p38 expression and type I collagen synthesis, SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, can significantly reduce type I collagen synthesis.Conclusion: IL-1 beta could stimulate the synthesis of type I collagen in rat HSCs, p38 mediate signal pathway between IL-1 beta and was type I collagen production. YiGanKang inhibits HSCs collagen synthesis induced by IL-1 beta via p38 inhibition. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.