Effect of Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) on Procollagen Synthesis in Cultured Murine Hepatic Non-parenchymal Cells

Abstract

Object : This study was done to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) on collagen production by cultured murine hepatic non-parenchymal cells. Methods : Hepatic non-parenchymal cells were cultured from normal Sprague-Dawley rats and established in a primary cell culture on uncoated plastic culture plates. The Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) was treated into the cell culture media for 72 hours and the cells were harvested for analysis. Analyses were done on cell proliferation, [3H]thymidine incorporation assay and procollagen type IC-peptide. Results : The cultured cells resembled fibroblasts in shape and produced procollagen which is consistent to fibrogenesis in vivo. Proliferation of the non-parenchymal cells was inhibited slightly and the [3H]thymidine incorporation assay showed a dose-dependent decrease by Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) treatment. Production of procollagen type I C-peptide was decreased by low-concentration treatment of the Samul-tang (Siwu-tang), but increased by high-concentration treatment. Conclusion : It seemed that the cells were responding to the Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) in low-concentration, thus producing less collagen. However, when the drug was administered with high enough concentration to cause excessive stimulation of cells, it seemed that the activated cells might overly produce procollagen, the precursor of collagen, thus aggravating fibrosis of the liver. So, it is considered that the proper concentration of Samul-tang (Siwu-tang) is important when treating patients with liver cirrhosis based on the patients' status.

Keywords

• Samul-tang(Siwu-tang);
• liver cirrhosis;
• procollagen;
• non-parenchymal cell;
• fibrosis