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Study on antifibrotic effects of curcumin in rat hepatic stellate cells
Author(s) -
Lin YunLian,
Lin ChiaYu,
Chi ChinWen,
Huang YiTsau
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2764
Subject(s) - curcumin , hepatic stellate cell , apoptosis , propidium iodide , chemistry , pharmacology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , programmed cell death , endocrinology
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 µM). A cell line of rat HSCs (HSC‐T6) was stimulated with transforming growth factor‐ β 1 (TGF‐ β 1). The inhibitory effects of curcumin (1.25∼10 µM) on fibrosis‐related markers including α ‐smooth muscle actin ( α ‐SMA) and collagen were assessed. In addition, the induction effects of curcumin (20∼40 µM) on apoptosis in HSC‐T6 cells were also assessed by Hoechst and propidium iodide stains. Curcumin (1.25∼10 µM) concentration‐dependently suppressed TGF‐ β 1‐induced α ‐SMA expression and collagen deposition in HSC‐T6 cells, without cytotoxicity. Whereas, higher concentrations of curcumin (20∼40 µM) 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∼10 µM), curcumin exerted antifibrogenic effects, whereas at higher concentrations (20∼40 µM), curcumin exerted induction of apoptosis in HSCs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.