title: Inhibitory effects of the herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to (TJ-9) on cell proliferation and procollagen gene expressions in cultured rat hepatic stellate cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is of extreme importance to prevent liver fibrosis and subsequent progression to liver cirrhosis. The aim of our study was to elucidate in vitro whether Sho-saiko-to exerted inhibitory effects on hepatic stellate cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hepatic stellate cells were isolated from male Wistar rats. Water-soluble ingredients of Sho-saiko-to were obtained at concentrations of 10, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml. Morphological transformation was observed under a phase-contrast microscope. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on day 4 after culture to evaluate the potential to proliferate of the stellate cells by analyzing cell cycles. Northern blot analysis was carried out on day 3 after culture to determine the expressions of type I and type III procollagen mRNAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (i) Sho-saiko-to 500 and 1000 microg/ml inhibited morphological transformation of the stellate cells to myofibroblast-like cells. (ii) Sho-saiko-to 500 and 1000 microg/ml significantly (p<0.0001) accumulated the cells in the G0/G1 phase (118.8+/-0.7%, 119.2+/-0.5%, respectively as compared with control) and significantly (p<0.0001) decreased cell numbers subsequently in G2/M phase (47.5+/-8.1%, 48.9+/-2.0%, respectively). (iii) Sho-saiko-to 500 and 1000 microg/ml also significantly (p<0.05 or p<0.0001) suppressed procollagen mRNA expression of type I to 51.5+/-6.4%, 34.9+/-3.7%, respectively, and type III to 51.3+/-12.3%, 46.7+/-11.4%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have clarified the inhibitory effects of Sho-saiko-to on hepatic stellate cells in vitro. Sho-saiko-to could be a potent inhibitor in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Internal Medicine, Yamaguchi University, School of Medicine, Ube City, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kayano
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakaida
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okita
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011347:Procollagen / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011347:Procollagen; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C018142:saiko-keishi-to