• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.231-235
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• 2013

Activity-guided isolation to search for antifibrotic compounds from natural products using HSC-T6 cells afforded nine flavonoids or phenolics, luteolin (1), 3'-O-methylorobol (2), acactin 7-rutinoside (3), sedelolactone (4), 4-methoxyphenol (5), 4-hydroxyaldehyde (6), 4-hydoxyaldehyde (7), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (8), and ferulic acid (9) from the methanolic extract of aerial parts of Eclipta prostrata L.. Among the isolated compounds, luteolin (1) significantly inhibited the proliferation of HSCs in dose- and time-dependent manners. Antifibrotic activity of E. prostrata and its phenolic compounds might provide potential therapeutical choice in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.261-265
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• 2007

Hydroxyproline (HYP) is a post-translational product of proline hydroxylation catalyzed by an enzyme prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) which plays a crucial role in the synthesis of all collagens. Considering the role of collagen and its significance in many clinically important diseases such as liver fibrosis, a great deal of attention has been directed toward the development of an assay at cell-based system. The reason is that cell-based assay system is more efficient than enzyme-based in vitro system and takes much less time than in vivo system. Several assay procedures developed for P4H are laborious, time-consuming and not feasible for the massive-screening. Here, we report the cell-based assay method of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in immortalized rat hepatic stellate HSC-T6 cells. To optimize the cell culture condition to assay for HYP content, various concentrations of reagents were treated for different times in HSC-T6 cells. Our data showed that the treatment with ascorbate in a hypoxic condition for 24 h resulted in the maximal increase of HYP by 1.8 fold. Alternatively, cobalt chloride ($5\;{\mu}M$) and ascorbate ($50\;{\mu}M$) in normoxic states exhibited similar effect on the production of HYP as in a hypoxic condition. Therefore, cobalt chloride can be substituted for a hypoxic condition when an anaerobic chamber is not available. Rosiglitazone and HOE077, known as inhibitors of collagen, synthesis decreased P4H enzyme activity by 32.3% and 15%, respectively, which coincided with previous reports from liver tissues. The level of the smooth muscle ${\alpha}$-actin, a marker of activated stellate cells, was significantly increased under hypoxia, suggesting that our experimental condition could work for screening the anti-fibrotic compounds. The assay procedure took only 3 days after treatment with agents, while assays from the primary stellate cells or liver tissues have taken several weeks. Considering the time and expenses, this assay method could be useful to screen the compounds for the inhibitor of prolyl 4-hydroxylase.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.597-601
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• 2009

간성상세포(HSC)는 간섬유화와 간경변에 중요한 역할을 한다고 알려져 있다. 간손상에 의해 둥근 모양의 간성상세포는 활성화되어 세포외기질(ECM)을 생산하는 myofibroblast와 같은 모양으로 활성화 된다. 활성화된 간성상세포의 특징은 빠른 증식 속도와 collagen과 같은 세포외 기질의 생산이다. 활성화된 간성상 세포의 제거방법은 apoptosis를 유도하는 것이다. 가자 추출물은 정상 간세포(rat primary hepatocyte), 간세포주(HepG2) 및 활성화된 간성상세포주인 T-HSC/Cl-6에 $1,000{\mu}g/mL$의 농도까지 처리하여 세포독성을 확인하였다. 그 결과 hepatocyte나 HepG2에서는 최고 농도에서도 독성이 없었으나 T-HSC/Cl-6는 U-shape 모양으로 사멸하는 것을 확인 하였다. T-HSC/Cl-6의 사멸이 apoptosis에 의한 것인지를 Annexin-V/PI double staining을 통하여 확인한 결과 apoptosis에 의해 T-HSC/Cl-6의 사멸이 일어나는 것을 확인하였다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.177-188
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba extract for 24 hours. The extraction was done either with distilled water or 50% EtOH. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the collagen type 1a2 and ASMA were measured by using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, and Procollagen Type I C-peptide EIA Kit. Results : The viability and proliferation of the hepatic stellate cells were decreased as the concentration increased. The mRNA expression decreased consistently with the volume of the secreted procollagen with the extraction made with distilled water, which indicates the herb has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating one of the fibrosis associated genes in transcription. However, it increased in 50% EtOH extraction, which shows that a more stable reaction is expected of the extraction made with distilled water than the extraction made with 50% EtOH. The production of procollagen was decreased by a low-concentration treatment with Artemisiae Capillaris Herba, but increased by a high concentration. It seemed that the cells were responding to Artemisiae Capillaris Herba in low- concentrations, thus producing small amounts of collagen. When the drug was administered at high enough concentration to give direct toxicity to cells, the ability of cells to produce collagen was activated, and the overproduction of collagen was observed as an undesirable results. Conclusion : These results suggest that Artemisiae Capillaris Herba is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for the patients with chronic hepatitis when extracted with water in the proper concentrations.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.346-355
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed in order to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Acer tegmentosum Maxim. on r at hepatic stellate cell line T6. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate Cells (T6) were treated with various concentrations of distilled water Acer teg mentosum Maxim. extract for 24, 48, 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels, mRNA of AS MA, MMP-2, collagen type 1a2 and IL-6 production were measured using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, procollagen typ e 1 C-peptide EIA kit and murine IL-6 ELISA development kit. Results : Cell viability of HSC-T6 decreased significantly in both 24 hours and 48 hours groups in a dose-dependant man ner. Proliferation of HSC also decreased in the same way. In the RT-PCR, mRNA expression of collagen type 1a2 and ASMA decreased in the groups which were treated with Acer tegmentosum Maxim. for 24 hours. The production of procollagen tended to decrease in a dose-dependant manner in the 24 hours treated group. IL-6 production increased under Acer tegmentosum trea tment in a dose-dependant manner in both 24 and 48 hours groups. Conclusion : These results show the possibility that Acer tegmentosum Maxim. can be an effective remedy for liver fibrosi s and liver cirrhosis.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.415-424
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Angelica Gigantis Radix on cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Angelica Gigantis Radix extract for both 24 and 48 hours. The extraction was done either with distilled water or 80% EtOH. After the treatment, cell viability, cell proliferation, procollagen production and the mRNA expression of the ASMA, TIMP1, TIMP2, procollagen Type 1a2, and Cytokine IL-6 production were measured by using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, procollagen Type I C-peptide EIA and IL-6 ELISA assay. Results : The cell viability treated with water extraction was significantly increased, but there were no significant changes treated with 80% EtOH extraction. The cell proliferation treated with water extraction decreased only in the 24 hours group, while there were significant decreases either in the 24 and 48 hours groups treated with 80% EtOH extraction. The mRNA expressions of the ASMA, TIMP2 and procollagen 1a2 decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the 48 hours group. Procollagen production decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in both the 24 and 48 hours groups. Cytokine IL-6 production increased in a concentration-dependent manner in both the 24 and 48 hours groups. Conclusion : These results suggest that Angelica Gigantis Radix is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for patients with chronic hepatitis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.762-767
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• 2006

Danshen is an herbal medication frequently used in oriental medicine to treat liver or kidney malfunction. In the course of our studies, we observed that compounds purified from Danshen exhibit an inhibitory activity against Discoidin Domain Receptor 2 (DDR2) tyrosine kinase. Through this inhibition, these compounds also inhibited the growth of HSC T6 cells and suppressed the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and MMP2, as well as collagen synthesis, all of which are increased in activated liver stellate cells. Given that activation of liver stellate cells is the hallmark of liver fibrosis and that DDR2 plays a critical role in this activation, these results suggest that one of the pharmacological activities of Danshen extract that protects the liver is the inhibition of key cell-signaling kinases, such as DDR2, in liver stellate cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.376-384
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• 2008

The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is traditionally used as a marker for astrocytes of the brain, and more recently for the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) of the liver. Several GFAP splice variants have been previously reported in the astrocytes of the CNS and in the non-myelinating Schwann cells of the PNS. In this study, we investigate whether GFAP splice variants are present in the HSCs and their expression as a function of HSCs activation. Furthermore, the regulation of these transcripts upon treatment with interferon gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) will be explored. Using semi-quan-titative RT-PCR and real-time PCR, we examine the expression and regulation of GFAP splice variants in HSCs as well as their respective half-life. We discover that most of the GFAP splice variants ($GFAP{\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and $\kappa$) found in the neural system are also expressed in quiescent and culture-activated primary HSCs. Interestingly, $GFAP{\alpha}$ is the predominant form in quiescent and culture-activated primary HSCs, while $GFAP{\beta}$, predominates in the SV40-immortalized activated HSC-T6. $GFAP{\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and ${\kappa}$ have similar half-lives of 10 hours, while $GFAP{\beta}$ has a half-life of 17 hours. Treatment of HSC-T6 with $IFN-{\gamma}$ results in a significant 1.29-fold up-regulation of $GFAP{\alpha}$ whereas the level of the other transcripts remains unchanged. In summary, $GFAP{\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, ${\delta}$, ${\varepsilon}$ and $\kappa$ are present in HSCs. They are differentially regulated on the transcription level, implying a role of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.299-310
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza on rat hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods : Hepatic stellate cells(HSC-T6) were treated with various concentrations of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract for 24 hours. It was extracted either with distilled water or 50% EtOH. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the collagen type 1a2 and ASMA were measured Results : The viability and proliferation of the hepatic stellate cells were decreased as concentration increased. The mRNA expression decreased consistently with the volume of the secreted procollagen with the extraction made with distilled water. This indicates the herb has inhibitory effect on fibrogenesis of the liver by regulating one of the fibrosis associated genes in transcription. However it increased in 50% EtOH extraction, which shows that a more stable reaction is expected of the extraction made with distilled water than the extraction made with 50% EtOH. The production of procollagen was decreased by a low-concentration treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza, but increased by a high concentration. It seemed that the cells were responding to Salvia miltiorrhiza in low- concentration, thus producing smaller amounts of collagen. When the drug was administered in high enough concentration to give direct toxicity to cells, an overproduction of collagen was observed. Conclusion : These results suggest that Salvia miltiorrhiza is a possible candidate for the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for patients with chronic hepatitis when extracted with water in the proper concentrations.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.314-330
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect and changes of inflammation-related genes by YBR I and YBR II (YBR I: Arteisiae Capillaris Herba, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Hoelen/ YBR II: YBR I +Sanguisorbae Radix, Biotae Cacumen, Cirsii Japonici Herba) on HSC(hepatic stellate cells)-T6 and TAA-induced rat liver tissue. Materials and Methods : HSC-T6 were treated with various concentrations of distilled-water extract YBR I and YBR II extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and IL-6 levels were measured by using MTT Assay, BrdU Assay, Procollagen Type 1 C-peptide EIA kit, and Murine IL-6 ELISA Development kit. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal TAA injection of 150mg/kg 3 times a week for 6 weeks. After the treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weights, liver function test, complete blood cell count and change of portal pressure were studied. In addition, gene expressions of ASMA, IL-6, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by using Real-Time PCR. After YBR I and YBR IItreatment, percentages of collagen in TAA-induced rat liver tissue were measured. Results : The viability and proliferation of the HSC-T6 decreased as the concentration increased. The production of procollagen decreased as the concentration increased. The production of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II. There was no difference in rat body weight between the TAA-only group and the YBR groups. Compared with rat liver weight of TAA-only group, that of the YBR groups increased. In the YBR I group, the serum level of AST elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased and in the YBR I and II group, the serum level of ALP and ALT elevated by TAA injection decreased. In the YBR I group, white blood cell count elevated by TAA injection decreased but platelets increased. In the YBR I group, the portal pressure elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased. Decreases in the gene expression of ASMA and MMP-2 were observed in the YBR I group. The gene expression of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II -treated groups. In the histological finding, TAA injections caused severe fibrosis, but YBR I and YBR II treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions : These results suggest that YBR I and II have inhibitory effects on the hepatic fibrogenesis.