title: [Effects of Artesunate on hepatic fibrosis and its mechanism].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Artesunate(Art) on the LX-2 cell.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cultured hepatic stellate cells were divided into control group and Art-treated groups with 250,350,450 µmol/L. The rate of cellular proliferation was detected by MIT assay, the content of ceramide (Cer)was determined by HPLC method, the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp) was determined by enzyme digestion method, the expressions of PPAR-γ, p53 and Caspase 3 were detected by Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with control group, IX-2 treated with Art were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner(P < 0.01). Art could significantly increase the content of cerarnide in LX-2 ( P <0.01), and the content of Hyp was significantly decreased (P <0.05, P <0.01). The expressions of PPAR-γ, p53 and Caspase 3 were increased compared with that of control group(P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Artesunate could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells through upregulating ceramide.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Li-nan
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bu-wu
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077332:Artesunate; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002518:Ceramides / Q000378:metabolism; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006909:Hydroxyproline / Q000378:metabolism; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D037621:Artemisinins; D002518:Ceramides; D047495:PPAR gamma; D000077332:Artesunate; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D006909:Hydroxyproline