ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of luteolin on the proliferation and collagen expression of hepatic stellate cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Luteolin inhibits the proliferation and collagen expression of hepatic stellate cells in vitro. It may have a preventive or therapeutic role in liver fibrosis.</p>