Objective: To investigate the effect of Fuzhenghuayu decoction on autocrine activation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC).
Methods: The drug serum containing Fuzhenghuayu decoction was collected from normal rats, and cultured with activated HSC in vitro. The conditioned medium from the drug serum treated HSC was added to primary cultured quiescent HSC. Cell proliferation was assayed by tetrazolium colorimetric test, and the contents of type I collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the supernatant were measured with ELISA.
Results: The conditioned medium from activated HSC could stimulate the quiescent HSC proliferation and type I collagen secretion. The drug serum inhibited this stimulating action and VEGF secretion from the activated HSC.
Conclusion: Fuzhenghuayu decoction acts effectively against the autocrine activation pathway of HSC. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of the secretion of VEGF by activated HSC.