Published online May 7, 2023. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i17.2616
Peer-review started: November 4, 2022
First decision: February 18, 2023
Revised: February 28, 2023
Accepted: April 10, 2023
Article in press: April 10, 2023
Published online: May 7, 2023
Processing time: 183 Days and 19.2 Hours
Cryptotanshinone (CPT) has been accepted to be an anti-inflammatory molecule.
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation plays an indispensable role in hepatic fibrosis. Inducing apoptosis of activated HSCs can attenuate or reverse fibrogenesis.
This study investigated the effects of CPT treatment on hepatic fibrosis and its underlying mechanism of action.
In vitro, we used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry, which demonstrated that CPT can induce HSC apoptosis through the ERS pathway. In vivo, we used liver function kit, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, pathological section staining a few columns of technical means to prove that CPT has a certain therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis.
In vitro, CPT was considered to activate HSC apoptosis by promoting endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) detrimental response to a certain extent. Main molecules came down to the unfolded protein response signaling pathway. In vivo, We found CPT protected the Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, CPT inhibited the levels of the downstream inflammatory cytokines, which were triggered by CCL4-induced hepatic fibrosis.
CPT can promote apoptosis of HSCs and alleviate hepatic fibrosis through modulating the ERS pathway, which represents a promising strategy for treating hepatic fibrosis.
Hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer are typical "trilogy of liver diseases", which seriously endanger human health. Hepatic fibrosis is reversible in the early stage, but it is difficult to reverse in the late stage of liver cirrhosis. Early treatment is therefore essential. CPT is a diterpene quinone compound that is isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza. CPT has been shown to have anti-oxidant. In this study, we found that CPT could induce apoptosis of activated HSCs and had good prospects for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.