Molecules 2013, 18(2), 2122-2134; doi:10.3390/molecules18022122
Article

PF2401-SF, Standardized Fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Induces Apoptosis of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

Daya Ram Parajuliemail, Eun-Jeon Parkemail, Xian-Hua Cheemail, Wen-Yi Jiangemail, Youn-Chul Kimemail, Dong Hwan Sohnemail and Sung Hee Lee* email
Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Korea
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 28 December 2012; in revised form: 25 January 2013 / Accepted: 4 February 2013 / Published: 6 February 2013
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Abstract: During the course of our attempts to develop a potential herbal medicine, we had previously prepared PF2401-SF, a standardized fraction of S. miltiorrhiza, and reported its hepatoprotective activity in vitro as well as in vivo. Since apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a well-accepted anti-fibrotic strategy, in this study, we investigated the direct effect of PF2401-SF on t-HSC/Cl-6 cells in vitro and on CCl4-induced liver injury in vivo. We evaluated the activation and cleavage of hallmarkers of apoptosis, namely, caspase 3, 8, 9 and PARP. Upregulation of the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 protein were also analyzed. Furthermore, in the PF2401-SF treated rats, apoptosis induction of activated HSCs was demonstrated by reduced distribution of α-SMA-positive cells and the presence of high number of TUNEL-positive cells in vivo. Our data suggest that PF2401-SF can mediate HSCs apoptosis induction, and may be a potential herbal medicine for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Keywords: Salvia miltiorrhiza; hepatic stellate cells; caspases; apoptosis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Parajuli, D.R.; Park, E.-J.; Che, X.-H.; Jiang, W.-Y.; Kim, Y.-C.; Sohn, D.H.; Lee, S.H. PF2401-SF, Standardized Fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Induces Apoptosis of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells in Vitro and in Vivo. Molecules 2013, 18, 2122-2134.

AMA Style

Parajuli DR, Park E-J, Che X-H, Jiang W-Y, Kim Y-C, Sohn DH, Lee SH. PF2401-SF, Standardized Fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Induces Apoptosis of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells in Vitro and in Vivo. Molecules. 2013; 18(2):2122-2134.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Parajuli, Daya R.; Park, Eun-Jeon; Che, Xian-Hua; Jiang, Wen-Yi; Kim, Youn-Chul; Sohn, Dong H.; Lee, Sung H. 2013. "PF2401-SF, Standardized Fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Induces Apoptosis of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells in Vitro and in Vivo." Molecules 18, no. 2: 2122-2134.

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