Abstract
AIM: To investigate the effect of casticin on apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro and the possible mechanisms involved.
METHODS: Rat HSC-T6 cells were cultured in high-glucose DMEM and then treated with different concentrations of casticin (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μmol/L) for 12, 24 and 48 h. HSC-T6 apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry (FCM) and agarose gel electrophoresis. The mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas/FasL and Bcl-2 was examined by RT-PCR. The expression of Caspase3 was studied by immunocytochemical staining assay (SABC).
RESULTS: Casticin treatment significantly increased the apoptosis of HSC-T6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The highest apoptosis rate was observed in HSC-T6 cells treated with 2.0 μmol/L of casticin for 48 h (55.70% ± 5.56%). An oligonucleosomal DNA ladder was demonstrated by SABC, indicating DNA break in HSC-T6 cells. The expression of Fas/FasL mRNA was increased, while expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was reduced. After HSC-T6 cells were treated with casticin at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μmol/L for 48 h, the positive rates of Caspase3 protein expression were 12.78% ± 0.74%, 41.00% ± 1.51% and 71.33% ± 2.68%, respectively. Casticin treatment significantly increased Caspase3 protein expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared with the control group (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Casticin induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells may involve mitochondrial pathways and Bcl-2 family proteins. Casticin might be a potential Chinese medical component for inhibiting liver fibrosis.
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