[Luteolin inhibits proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of luteolin on the proliferation and collagen expression of hepatic stellate cells.

METHODS

The effect of luteolin on proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells isolated from the liver of Wistar rats were determined by (3)H-TdR and (3)H-Pro, and procollagen gene expression was also detected by DIG-labeled gene probe and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

The proliferation and collagen synthesis were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by luteolin when the concentrations reached 10 micromol/L and 20 micromol/L respectively (t=2.542, P<0.05; t=3.650, P<0.01). The type I, III procollagen mRNA expression was decreased by 25 micromol/L luteolin, in which the type I procollagen mRNA was reduced with statistical significance (x(2)=6.850, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Luteolin inhibits the proliferation and collagen expression of hepatic stellate cells in vitro. It may have a preventive or therapeutic role in liver fibrosis.