Ankaflavin and Monascin Induce Apoptosis in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells through Suppression of the Akt/NF-κB/p38 Signaling Pathway

Revealing the Hypoglycemic Effect of Red Yeast Rice: Perspectives from the Inhibition of α-Glucosidase and the Anti-Glycation Capability by Ankaflavin and Monascin

Red yeast rice dietary supplements have been proven to ameliorate hyperglycemia, but the mechanism was unclear. In this work, ankaflavin (AK) and monascin (MS), as typical pigments derived from red yeast rice, were found to exert noteworthy inhibitory ability against α-glucosidase, with an IC50 of 126.5 ± 2.5 and 302.6 ± 2.5 μM, respectively, compared with acarbose (IC50 = 341.3 ± 13.6 μM). They also exhibited mixed-type inhibition of α-glucosidase in vitro and caused fluorescence quenching through the static-quenching process. Molecular-docking studies indicated that AK and MS bind to amino acid residues outside the catalytic center, which induces structural changes in the enzyme, thus influencing its catalytic activity. The anti-glycation ability of Monascus-fermented products was evaluated, and they exhibited a high inhibition rate of 87.1% in fluorescent advanced glycation end-product formation at a concentration of 0.2 mg mL-1, while aminoguanidine showed a rate of 75.7% at the same concentration. These results will be significant in broadening the application scope of Monascus pigments, especially AK and MS, in treating type 2 diabetes.

The total polyphenolic glycoside extract of Lamiophlomis rotata ameliorates hepatic fibrosis through apoptosis by TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) which is mainly secreted by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Lamiophlomis rotata (L. rotata) was recorded to treat jaundice in the traditional Tibetan medical system with the potential of hepatoprotection. However, the bioactivities and the possible mechanism of L. rotata on hepatic fibrosis is still largely unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-hepatic fibrosis effects of bioactivities in L. rotata and the probable mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Herein, total polyphenolic glycosides of L. rotata (TPLR) was purified with the selectivity adsorption resin and was analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF/MSⁿ). The anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of TPLR was evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis, and was evaluated with the apoptosis of activated HSCs.

RESULTS

In total, sixteen compounds, including nine phenylpropanoids and six flavonoids, were identified in the UPLC-TOF-MSⁿ profile of the extracts. TPLR significantly ameliorated hepatic fibrosis in CCl₄-induced mice and inhibited HSCs proliferation, Moreover, TPLR notably increased the apoptosis of activated HSCs along with up-regulated caspase-3, -8, -9, and -10. Furthermore, TPLR inhibited TGF-β/Smad pathway ameliorating hepatic fibrosis though downregulation the expression of Smad2/3, Smad4, and upregulation the expression of Smad7 in vivo and in vitro. Simultaneously, the expression of fibronectin (FN), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Collagen I (Col1α1) were decreased in tissues and in cells with TPLR administration.

CONCLUSION

These results initially demonstrated that TPLR has the potential to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis through an apoptosis mechanism via TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Neuroprotection by Nrf2 via modulating microglial phenotype and phagocytosis after intracerebral hemorrhage

Activated microglia are divided into pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functional states. In anti-inflammatory state, activated microglia contribute to phagocytosis, neural repair and anti-inflammation. Nrf2 as a major endogenous regulator in hematoma clearance after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has received much attention. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying Nrf2-mediated regulation of microglial phenotype and phagocytosis in hematoma clearance after ICH. In vitro experiments, BV-2 cells were assigned to normal group and administration group (Nrf2-siRNA, Nrf2 agonists Monascin and Xuezhikang). In vivo experiments, mice were divided into 5 groups: sham, ICH + vehicle, ICH + Nrf2-/-, ICH + Monascin and ICH + Xuezhikang. In vitro and in vivo, 72 h after administration of Monascin and Xuezhikang, the expression of Nrf2, inflammatory-associated factors such as Trem1, TNF-α and CD80, anti-inflammatory, neural repair and phagocytic associated factors such as Trem2, CD206 and BDNF were analyzed by the Western blot method. In vitro, fluorescent latex beads or erythrocytes were uptaken by BV-2 cells in order to study microglial phagocytic ability. In vivo, hemoglobin levels reflect the hematoma volume. In this study, Nrf2 agonists (Monascin and Xuezhikang) upregulated the expression of Trem2, CD206 and BDNF while decreased the expression of Trem1, TNF-α and CD80 both in vivo and in vitro. At the same time, after Monascin and Xuezhikang treatment, the phagocytic capacity of microglia increased in vitro, neurological deficits improved and hematoma volume lessened in vivo. These results were reversed in the Nrf2-siRNA or the Nrf2-/- mice. All these results indicated that Nrf2 enhanced hematoma clearance and neural repair, improved neurological outcomes through enhancing microglial phagocytosis and alleviating neuroinflammation.

Monascin and ankaflavin-Biosynthesis from Monascus purpureus, production methods, pharmacological properties: A review

Monascus purpureus copiously yields beneficial secondary metabolites , including Monascus pigments, which are broadly used as food additives, as a nitrite substitute in meat products, and as a colorant in the food industry. Monascus yellow pigments (monascin and ankaflavin) have shown potential antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antibiotic, anticancer, and antiobesity activities. Cosmetic and textile industries are other areas where it has established its potential as a dye. This paper reviews the production methods of Monascus yellow pigments, biosynthesis of Monascus pigments from M. purpureus, factors affecting yellow pigment production during fermentation, and the pharmacological properties of monascin and ankaflavin.

Fermented food: Should patients with cardiometabolic diseases go back to an early neolithic diet?

Fermentation has been used since the Early Neolithic period to preserve foods. It has inherent organoleptic and nutritive properties that bestow health benefits, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, supporting the growth of salutogenic microbiota, enhancing intestinal mucosal protection and promoting beneficial immunometabolic health effects. The fermentation of food with specific microbiota increases the production salutogenic bioactive compounds that can activate Nrf2 mediated cytoprotective responses and mitigate the effects of the 'diseasome of aging' and its associated inflammageing, which presents as a prominent feature of obesity, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. This review discusses the importance of fermented food in improving health span, with special reference to cardiometabolic diseases.

The biological activity and application of Monascus pigments: a mini review

Monascus pigments (MPs), as secondary metabolites of Monascus, are microbial pigments which have been used for thousands of years. MPs are widely used in food industry as food pigments and preservatives, which have the stability of light resistance, high temperature resistance and acid-base change resistance. In addition, the antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-tumor biological activities of MPs have also attracted people’s attention. Moreover, Due to the presence of citrinin, the safety of MPs still needs to be discussed and explored. In this paper, the production, biological activity, application in various fields and methods of detection and reduction of citrinin of MPs were reviewed, which provide new insights into the study and safe application related to human different diseases, medicines or health care products with MPs as active substances.

Effect of γ-Heptalactone on the Morphology and Production of Monascus Pigments and Monacolin K in Monascus purpureus

Monascus is used widely in Asian countries and produces various biologically active metabolites, such as Monascus pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK). In this study, the effect of γ-heptalactone on secondary metabolites and mycelial growth during Monascus purpureus M1 fermentation was investigated. After the addition of 50 μM γ-heptalactone, the yields of MPs (yellow, orange, and red) reached maxima, increased by 115.70, 141.52, and 100.88%, respectively. The 25 μM γ-heptalactone groups showed the highest yield of MK was increased by 62.38% compared with that of the control. Gene expression analysis showed that the relative expression levels of MPs synthesis genes (MpPKS5, MpFasA2, mppB, mppC, mppD, mppG, mpp7, and mppR1/R2) were significantly upregulated after γ-heptalactone treatment. The relative expression levels of MK synthesis genes (mokA, mokC, mokE, mokH, and mokI) were significantly affected. The mycelium samples treated with γ-heptalactone exhibited more folds and swelling than that in the samples of the control group. This study confirmed that the addition of γ-heptalactone has the potential to induce yields of MPs and MK, and promote the expression of biosynthesis genes, which may be related to the transformation of mycelial morphology in M. purpureus.

The noncovalent conjugations of human serum albumin (HSA) with MS/AK and the effect on anti-oxidant capacity as well as anti-glycation activity of Monascus yellow pigments

Monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK), as typical yellow lipid-soluble pigments identified from Monascus-fermented products, have been confirmed to possess diverse biological activities such as anti-oxidation, reversing diabetes, and anti-atherosclerosis, and have received increasing attention in recent years. Certainly Monascus-fermented product with a high content of MS/AK is also a concern. The current work explored interactions between MS/AK and human serum albumin (HSA) as well as their influence on the anti-oxidant properties of MS/AK. Moreover, the anti-glycation potential of Monascus-fermented products rich in MS and AK (denoted as Mps) was assessed. The results showed that the fluorescence emission of HSA was quenched by MS/AK through a static quenching mechanism, and MS-HSA and AK-HSA complexes were mainly formed by van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions, but AK showed a higher binding affinity than MS. Although the DPPH radical-scavenging abilities of MS-HSA and AK-HSA complexes declined, Mps significantly reduced the formation of fructosamine, α-dicarbonyl compounds and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the in vitro glycation model (HSA-glucose). Notably, approximately 80% of fluorescent-AGEs were suppressed by Mps at a concentration of 0.95 mg mL^-1, while aminoguanidine (AG, a reference standard) caused only 65% decrease at the same concentration. Although radical scavenging and metal chelating activities could justify the observed anti-glycation activity of Mps, in-depth research on the structures of other functional compounds present in Mps except MS/AK and reaction mechanisms should be performed. Overall, the present study proved that Mps would be promising sources of food-based anti-glycation agents because of their superior inhibitory effect on AGEs.

Agro-industrial residues for the production of red biopigment by Monascus ruber: rice flour and sugarcane molasses

Three culture media were studied for red pigment production by Monascus ruber in submerged cultivation: rice flour (20 g L^-1), sugarcane molasses (30 g L^-1), and, finally, molasses + rice flour (10 g L^-1+10 g L^-1); all culture media were added of 5 g L^-1 glycine as nitrogen source. Rice flour showed pigment production of 7.05 UA_510nm and molasses 5.08 UA_510nm, and the mixture of rice flour and molasses showed the best result of 16.38 UA_510nm. Molasses culture presented good results for cell biomass production of 11.09 g L^-1. With these results, it was observed that one substrate presented good pigment production (rice flour) and another attained better results for cell biomass growth (molasses), and a third medium containing 10 g L^-1 of rice flour + 10 g L^-1 of molasses was formulated. The results for this mixture showed satisfactory results, with global pigment productivity of 0.097 UA_510nm h^-1 and maximum productivity rate of 0.17 UA_510nm h^-1. The high production and productivity obtained for the mixture of rice flour and molasses indicated that the production of red pigment by submerged fermentation, using the mixture of these low-cost culture media, may be promising in terms of commercial production.

Inducing red pigment and inhibiting citrinin production by adding lanthanum(III) ion in Monascus purpureus fermentation

Monascus pigments (MPs) are widely used natural colorants in Asian countries. The problems of low extracellular red pigment (ERP) and high citrinin remain to be solved in Monascus pigment production. The effect of lanthanum(III) ion (LaCl₃) on Monascus purpureus fermentation was investigated in this study. The yields of ERP and biomass respectively reached maxima of 124.10 U/mL and 33.10 g/L by adding 0.4 g/L La³⁺ on the second day in the total 8-day fermentation; simultaneously, citrinin was decreased by 59.93% and 38.14% in the extracellular and intracellular fractions, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were obviously improved by La³⁺ treatment, while the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were increased compared with the control. The ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acids in mycelia was increased from 2.94 to 3.49, indicating that the permeability and fluidity of the cell membrane were enhanced under La³⁺ treatment. Gene expression analysis showed that the relative expression levels of Monascus pigment synthesis genes (pksPT, mppB, mppD, MpFasB2, and MpPKS5) were significantly upregulated by La³⁺ treatment, and in contrast, the relative expression levels of citrinin synthesis genes (ctnA, pksCT and mppC) were markedly downregulated. This work confirmed that LaCl₃ possesses the potential to induce red pigment biosynthesis and inhibit citrinin production in M. purpureus fermentation. KEY POINTS: • La³⁺ induced red pigment and inhibited citrinin production in Monascus fermentation. • La³⁺ regulated genes expression up for Monascus pigment and down for citrinin. • La³⁺ increased the UFAs in cell membrane to enhance the permeability and fluidity.

The Impact of Acute or Chronic Alcohol Intake on the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

Ethanol misuse is frequently associated with a multitude of profound medical conditions, contributing to health-, individual- and social-related damage. A particularly dangerous threat from this classification is coined as alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a liver condition caused by prolonged alcohol overconsumption, involving several pathological stages induced by alcohol metabolic byproducts and sustained cellular intoxication. Molecular, pathological mechanisms of ALD principally root in the innate immunity system and are especially associated with enhanced functionality of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. NF-κB is an interesting and convoluted DNA transcription regulator, promoting both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory gene expression. Thus, the abundancy of studies in recent years underlines the importance of NF-κB in inflammatory responses and the mechanistic stimulation of inner molecular motifs within the factor components. Hereby, in the following review, we would like to put emphasis on the correlation between the NF-κB inflammation signaling pathway and ALD progression. We will provide the reader with the current knowledge regarding the chronic and acute alcohol consumption patterns, the molecular mechanisms of ALD development, the involvement of the NF-κB pathway and its enzymatic regulators. Therefore, we review various experimental in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the research on ALD, including the recent active compound treatments and the genetic modification approach. Furthermore, our investigation covers a few human studies.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells utilize the notch signaling pathway to induce apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via NF-κB sensor

The present study aimed at evaluating the mechanism by which functionality of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is modulated by bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Induction of apoptosis in HSCs was found to be caused by directly co-culturing HSCs with BMSCs, where the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) increased significantly in HSCs, along with an increase in their proliferation rate. Additionally, expression of Hes1 and Notch1 in HSCs co-cultured with BMSCs increased significantly at both protein and mRNA levels. Blocking of the notch signaling pathway (NSP) either by Notch1 siRNA or by DAPT treatment increased the proliferation rate while decreasing apoptosis and led to activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in HSCs co-cultured with BMSCs. These effects were found to be reversed in HSCs overexpressing IκB S32/S36 mutants. The Notch signaling-mediated cell-cell contact was partially involved in the significant inhibition of proliferation of HSCs by BMSCs. Additionally, the NF-κB pathway was found to be responsible for NSP-mediated inhibition of growth of HSCs in the co-culture system. Thus, BMSCs might have a potential therapeutic significance in treating hepatic fibrosis.

Effects of apoptosis on liver aging

As an irreversible and perennial process, aging is accompanied by functional and morphological declines in organs. Generally, aging liver exhibits a decline in volume and hepatic blood flow. Even with a preeminent regenerative capacity to restore its functions after liver cell loss, its biosynthesis and metabolism abilities decline, and these are difficult to restore to previous standards. Apoptosis is a programmed death process via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, in which Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis-related genes, such as p21 and p53, are involved. Apoptosis inflicts both favorable and adverse influences on liver aging. Apoptosis eliminates transformed abnormal cells but promotes age-related liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. We summarize the roles of apoptosis in liver aging and age-related liver diseases.

Effects of rutin and its derivatives on citrinin production by Monascus aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 in liquid fermentation using different types of media

The mycotoxin citrinin is often produced during fermentation of Monascus products. We studied the effects of flavonoids on citrinin production by Monascus aurantiacus Li AS3.4384 (MALA) by adding rutin, α-glucosylrutin, or troxerutin to the fermentation medium, in a first-of-its-kind study. Appropriate amounts of rutin, α-glucosylrutin, or troxerutin did not affect normal mycelial growth. Addition of 5.0 g/l of rutin only weakly reduced (29.2%) citrinin production, relative to inhibition by 5 g/l α-glucosylrutin or troxerutin (by 54.7% and 40.6%, respectively). In starch inorganic liquid culture media, addition of 20.0 g/l of troxerutin, followed by fermentation for 12 days, reduced citrinin yield by 75.26%. Addition of 15.0 g/l of troxerutin to low-starch peptone liquid fermentation media reduced citrinin yield by 87.9% after 14 days of fermentation, and addition of 30.0 g/l troxerutin to yeast extract sucrose liquid media for 12 days reduced citrinin yield by 53.7%.

Hepatic fibrosis: It is time to go with hepatic stellate cell-specific therapeutic targets

Hepatic fibrosis is a pathological lesion, characterized by the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the perisinusoidal space and it is a major problem in chronic liver diseases. Phenotypic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) plays a central role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Retardation of proliferation and clearance of activated HSCs from the injured liver is an appropriate therapeutic strategy for the resolution and treatment of hepatic fibrosis. Clearance of activated HSCs from the injured liver by autophagy inhibitors, proapoptotic agents and senescence inducers with the high affinity toward the activated HSCs may be the novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in the near future.

Folate conjugated vs PEGylated phytosomal casein nanocarriers for codelivery of fungal- and herbal-derived anticancer drugs

Aim: Monascin and ankaflavin, the major fractions of the fungal-derived monascus yellow pigments, were incorporated with the herbal drug, resveratrol (RSV) within the core of folate-conjugated casein micelles (FA–CAS MCs, F1) for active targeting. PEGylated RSV-phospholipid complex bilayer enveloping casein-loaded micelles (PEGPC–CAS MCs) were also developed as passive-targeted nanosystem. Results: FA– and PEGPC–CAS MCs demonstrated a proper size with monomodal distribution, sustained drug release profiles and good hemocompatibility. The coloaded MCs showed superior cytotoxicity to MCF-7 breast cancer cells compared with free drugs. Both nanosystems exerted excellent in vivo antitumor efficacy in breast cancer bearing mice with PEGylated MCs showing comparable tumor regression to folate-conjugated MCs. Conclusion: Evergreen nanoplatforms coloaded with monascus yellow pigments and RSV were effective for breast cancer treatment.

Phytosomal bilayer-enveloped casein micelles for codelivery of monascus yellow pigments and resveratrol to breast cancer

Aim: Multireservoir nanocarriers were fabricated for delivering antineoplastic drug cocktail from herbal and fungal origin. Monascus yellow pigments (MYPs), monascin and ankaflavin, were isolated from red-mold rice, and incorporated within casein micelles (CAS MCs) along with the herbal drug, resveratrol (RSV). Both drugs (MYPs and RSV) were simultaneously incorporated into the hydrophobic core of CAS MCs. Alternatively, MYPs-loaded CAS MCs were enveloped within RSV-phytosomal bilayer elaborating multireservoir nanocarriers. Results: Cytotoxicity studies confirmed the superiority of multireservoir nanocarriers against MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The in vivo antitumor efficacy was revealed by reduction of the tumor volume and growth biomarkers. Conclusion: Multireservoir CAS nanocarriers for codelivery of both MYPs and RSV may be promising alternative to traditional breast cancer therapy.

Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea protects mice against alcohol-induced liver injury, whereas its metabolites ankaflavin and monascin regulate ethanol-induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 expression in HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND

Alcoholic hepatitis is a necroinflammatory process that is associated with fibrosis and leads to cirrhosis in 40% of cases. The hepatoprotective effects of red mold dioscorea (RMD) from Monascus purpureus NTU 568 were evaluated in vivo using a mouse model of chronic alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD).

RESULTS

ALD mice were orally administered vehicle (ALD group) or vehicle plus 307.5, 615.0 or 1537.5 mg kg^-1 (1 ×, 2 × and 5 ×) RMD for 5 weeks. RMD lowered serum leptin, hepatic total cholesterol, free fatty acid and hepatic triglyceride levels and increased serum adiponectin, hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzyme levels. Furthermore, ankaflavin (AK) and monascin (MS), metabolites of RMD fermented with M. purpureus 568, induced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ expression and the concomitant suppression of ethanol-induced elevation of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 and TG in HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate the hepatoprotective effect of Monascus-fermented RMD. Moreover, AK and MS were identified as the active constituents of RMD for the first time and were shown to protect against ethanol-induced liver damage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Monascin inhibits IL-1β induced catabolism in mouse chondrocytes and ameliorates murine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative disease and is the fourth major cause of disability, but there are no effective therapies because of its complex pathology and the side effects of the drugs.

Anti-fibrotic activity of polyphenol-enriched sugarcane extract in rats via inhibition of p38 and JNK phosphorylation

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.), which is one of the most important sources of sugar, is also rich in polyphenolic compounds.

Changing oxidoreduction potential to improve water-soluble yellow pigment production with Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910

Background

Monascus pigments are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their safety to human health. Our previous study found that glucose concentration induced extracellular oxidoreduction potential (ORP) changes could influence extracellular water-soluble yellow pigment production by Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910 in submerged fermentation. In this study, H₂O₂ and dithiothreitol (DTT) were used to change the oxidoreduction potential for investigating the effects of oxidative or reductive substances on Monascus yellow pigment production by Monascus ruber CGMCC 10910.

Results

The extracellular ORP could be controlled by H₂O₂ and DTT. Both cell growth and extracellular water-soluble yellow pigment production were enhanced under H₂O₂-induced oxidative (HIO) conditions and were inhibited under dithiothreitol-induced reductive conditions. By optimizing the amount of H₂O₂ added and the timing of the addition, the yield of extracellular water-soluble yellow pigments significantly increased and reached a maximum of 209 AU, when 10 mM H₂O₂ was added on the 3rd day of fermentation with M. ruber CGMCC 10910. Under HIO conditions, the ratio of NADH/NAD+ was much lower than that in the control group, and the expression levels of relative pigment biosynthesis genes were up-regulated; moreover, the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was increased while 6-phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity was inhibited.

Conclusions

Oxidative conditions induced by H₂O₂ increased water-soluble yellow pigment accumulation via up-regulation of the expression levels of relative genes and by increasing the precursors of pigment biosynthesis through redirection of metabolic flux. In contrast, reductive conditions induced by dithiothreitol inhibited yellow pigment accumulation. This experiment provides a potential strategy for improving the production of Monascus yellow pigments.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12934-017-0828-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular interplays in hepatic stellate cells: apoptosis, senescence, and phenotype reversion as cellular connections that modulate liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is a pathophysiological process correlated with intense repair and cicatrization mechanisms in injured liver, and over the past few years, the characterization of the fine-tuning of molecular interconnections that support the development of liver fibrosis has been investigated. In this cellular process, the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) support the organ fibrogenesis. The HSCs are found in two distinct morpho-physiological states: quiescent and activated. In normal liver, most HSCs are found in quiescent state, presenting a considerable amount of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, while in injured liver, the activated phenotype of HSCs is a myofibroblast, that secrete extracellular matrix elements and contribute to the establishment of the fibrotic process. Studies on the molecular mechanisms by which HSCs try to restore their quiescent state have been performed; however, no effective treatment to reverse fibrosis has been so far prescribed. Therefore, the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, senescence, and the cell reversion phenotype process from activate to quiescent state will certainly contribute to the development of effective therapies to treat hepatic fibrosis. In this context, this review aimed to address central elements of apoptosis, senescence, and reversal of HSC phenotype in the control of hepatic fibrogenesis, as a guide to future development of therapeutic strategies.