title: Oxymatrine inhibits collagen synthesis in keloid fibroblasts via inhibition of transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signaling pathway.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keloids are benign dermal tumors characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and excessive accumulation of collagen. Oxymatrine (OMT) is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora japonica with capacities of anti-fibrosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of OMT on collagen production and to explore its mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  OMT was applied to human keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β receptor, and Smads were analyzed by Western Blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that both collagen synthesis and Smad3 production were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent administration of OMT. However, expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor1, TGF-β receptor2, Smad4, and Smad7 was unchanged. We also found that OMT reversed phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3 induced by TGF-β1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OMT inhibited collagen synthesis, which might be associated with TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. These findings suggest that OMT may be a promising candidate to prevent keloid and other fibrotic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Liang
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Wei-Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yu-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Si-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051901:Smad4 Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D011807:Quinolizines; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051900:Smad3 Protein; D051901:Smad4 Protein; D051906:Smad7 Protein; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C497790:SMAD3 protein, human; C497796:SMAD4 protein, human; C497806:SMAD7 protein, human; C037573:oxymatrine; D000093842:Matrines