title: Baicalin Down-Regulates IL-1β-Stimulated Extracellular Matrix Production in Nasal Fibroblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Baicalin, a Chinese herbal medicine, has anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aims of present study were to investigate the effects of baicalin on the myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix production, migration, and collagen contraction of interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated nasal fibroblasts and to determine the molecular mechanism of baicalin in nasal fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nasal fibroblasts were isolated from the inferior turbinate of patients. Baicalin was used to treat IL-1β-stimulated nasal fibroblasts. To evaluate cytotoxicity, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay was used. The expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), fibronectin, phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), p-Akt, p-p50, p-p65, and p-IκBα were measured by western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),or immunofluorescence staining. Fibroblast migration was analyzed with scratch assays and transwell migration assays. Total collagen was evaluated with the Sircol collagen assay. Contractile activity was measured with a collagen gel contraction assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baicalin (0-50 μM) had no significant cytotoxic effects in nasal fibroblasts. The expression of α-SMA and fibronectin were significantly down-regulated in baicalin-treated nasal fibroblasts. Migration, collagen production, and contraction of IL-1β-stimulated nasal fibroblasts were significantly inhibited by baicalin treatment. Baicalin also significantly down-regulated p-MAPK, p-Akt, p-p50, p-p65, and p-IκBα in IL-1β-stimulated nasal fibroblasts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed that baicalin down-regulated myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix production, migration, and collagen contraction via the MAPK and Akt/ NF-κB pathways in IL-1β-stimulated nasal fibroblasts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Division of Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Hyung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Institute for Korea University Medical Devices Support Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seoung-Ae
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Il-Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Division of Brain Korea 21 Program for Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.|Institute for Korea University Medical Devices Support Center, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Heung-Man
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C434003:3-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-propenenitrile; C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins; D005353:Fibronectins; D005419:Flavonoids; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009570:Nitriles; D013450:Sulfones; C038044:baicalin; D003094:Collagen; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1