[Astragalus polysaccharides and astragalosides regulate cytokine secretion in LX-2 cell line].
To investigate the anti-fibrosis mechanism of radix astragali through the observation on regulating cytokine secretion by astragalosides and astragalus polysaccharides in hepatic stellate cell line LX-2.



Astragalus polysaccharides and astragalosides at concentration of 25 microg/ml and 300 microg/ml were added to LX-2 cell culture.After 24 h culture total RNA contents were extracted and TGF-beta1, HGF, MP2 and MMP9 mRNA were measured by real time fluorescence quantification PCR technique. The cell growth curves were detected by Real Time Cell Electronics Sensing.



300 microg/ml of astragalus polysaccharides suppressed LX-2 cell proliferation (P<0.05, in 94.7 h), while astragalosides induced an significant cell proliferation (P<0.05) both at lower and higher concentration. 25 microg/ml astragalus polysaccharides and astragalosides induced TGF-beta1 expression. For other cytokines, astragalus polysaccharides induced a 104.9 fold higher expression of MMP2, while astragalosides induced a 550.65 fold higher expression of IL-10. Astragalus polysaccharides at 300 microg/ml concentration exhibited an inhibition effect on TGF-beta1, HGF, MMP9 and IL-10 mRNA expression, while up-regulated MMP2 mRNA expression. Astragalosides at 300 mug/ml concentration inhibited TGF-beta1 mRNA expression, while up-regulated MMP2, MMP9 and IL-10 mRNA expression.



The anti-fibrosis function of astragalus polysaccharides might be associated with up-regulation of MMP2 expression, while that of astragalosides with up-regulation of MMP2, MMP9 and IL-10 expression.
Li
Shu-ping
SP
Infectious Disease Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003 China.
Xu
Xiao-yan
XY
Sun
Zhen
Z
Chen
Zhi
Z
D027885:Astragalus propinquus / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
D016207:Cytokines; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; D016753:Interleukin-10; C052064:astragaloside A; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9