Abstract

Objectives : The aim of this study is to characterize the effect of Chungganhaeju-tang on $TGF-{\beta}l$-induced hepatic fibrosis. Materials and Methods : mRNA and protein expression levels of $TGF-{\beta}l$ in Chungganhaeju-tang treated HepG2 cells were compared to untreated cells using quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assay, respectively. mRNA expression levels of the $TGF-{\beta}l$ signaling pathway genes $(T{\beta}R-I,\;T{\beta}R-II,\;Smad2,\;Smad3,\;Smad4,\;and\;PAI-1)$ and fibrosis-associated genes (CTGF, fibronectin, and collagen type $l{\alpha}$) were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. The effect of Chungganhaeju-tang on cell proliferation of T3891 human fibroblast was evaluated using $[^3H]Thymidine$ Incorporation Assay. Results : Inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}l$ mRNA expression and protein production was observed with treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang and seen to be dose and time dependent. Whereas $TGF-{\beta}l$-mediated induction of PAI-1 was suppressed with treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang, expression of the $TGF-{\beta}l$ signaling pathway genes such as $T{\beta}R-I$, $T{\beta}R-II$, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 was not affected. With treatment of Chungganhaeju-tang, inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}l$-induced cell proliferation of T3891 human fibroblast was observed, as well as abrogation of $TGF-{\beta}l$-mediated transcriptional up-regulation of CTGF, fibronectin, and collagen type $I{\alpha}$. Conclusion : This study strongly suggests that the liver cirrhosis-suppressive activity of Chungganhaeju-tang may be derived at least in part from its inhibitory effect on $TGF-{\beta}l$ functions, such as blockade of $TGF-{\beta}l$ stimulation of fibroblast cell proliferation and fibrosis-related gene expression as well as expression of $TGF-{\beta}l$ itself.

Keywords

• Chungganhaeju-tang;
• hepatic fibrosis;
• $TGF-{\beta}1$