ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate effects of total flavonoids of litchi (TFL) on the proliferation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6) in comparison with western medicine rosiglitazone, and to explore the mechanism of anti hepatic fibrosis of TFL. Methods Effect of TFL on proliferation of HSC-T6 was examined by MTT. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) mRNA, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in HSC-T6 cells exposured were examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Effects on HSC-T6 CTGF protein from TFL and rosiglitazone were detected by Western bloting. Results The expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was upregulated and the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein was downregulated after exposure to TFL and rosiglitazone for 72 hours. And the effect of TFL increased with the increase of concentration. Conclusion TFL can inhibit the proliferation of HSC-T6 and antagonizing liver fibrosis. This mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of PPAR-γ expression and the downregulation of CTGF expression.