Moniliformediquinone as a potential therapeutic agent, inactivation of hepatic stellate cell and inhibition of liver fibrosis in vivo.
Moniliformediquinone (MFD), a phenanthradiquinone in Dendrobium moniliforme, was synthesized in our laboratory. Beyond its in vitro inhibitory effects on cancer cells, other biological activity of MFD is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of MFD on hepatic fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo.



Hepatic stellate HSC-T6 was cultured. Cell viability assay and western blot analyses were performed. Male ICR mice were evaluated on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity using both histological examination and immunohistochemical staining.



First, in vitro study showed that the synthesized MFD effectively attenuated the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and type I collagen (COL-1), which modulated the hepatic fibrogenesis. Furthermore, MFD reduced the phosphorylation of p65 NFκB in HSC-T6 cells. In vivo, liver fibrosis was induced by CCl4 twice a week for 10 weeks in mice. The administration of the MFD was started after 1 week of CCl4 thrice-weekly; the MFD significantly reduced plasma aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as hepatic hydroxy-proline, α-SMA, and COL-1 expression in CCl4-treated mice. Pathological analysis showed that the MFD alleviated CCl4-induced hepatic inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis. These results suggest that MFD possesses therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.



The synthesized MFD exhibits anti-fibrotic potential by inactivation of HSCs in vitro and decreases mouse hepatic fibrosis in vivo. Further investigation into their clinical therapeutic potential is required.
Department of Medical Applied Chemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.|Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Tsui-Hwa
TH
Tseng
Department of Pathology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Wea-Lung
WL
Lin
Department of Medical Applied Chemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Zi-Hui
ZH
Chen
Department of Chemistry, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua, Taiwan.
Yean-Jang
YJ
Lee
High Quality Biomedical Management & Consultant Inc., Taichung, Taiwan.
Ming-Shiun
MS
Shie
Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Kam-Fai
KF
Lee
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. gi2216@adm.cgmh.org.tw.|Department of Hepato-Gastroenterological, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan. gi2216@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
Chien-Heng
CH
Shen
Institute of Nursing and Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chia-Yi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan. guscsi@gmail.com.|Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, CGUST, Chiayi, Taiwan. guscsi@gmail.com.
Hsing-Chun
HC
Kuo
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011809:Quinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
C000588983:2,6-dimethoxy-1,4,5,8-phenanthrenetetrone; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D011809:Quinones; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride
CCl4-treated mice; Hepatic fibrosis; Moniliformediquinone