Cong T, Jin X, Zhao L, Zhao P, Changjiang Guo C.
Protective effects of masson pine pollen aqueous extract on activated human hepatic stellate cells.
Biomedica Jan ;31(3):190-8.

Background and Objectives: The activation and proliferation of human hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are believed to be the central mechanism in liver fibrosis. The aim of the study was to observe the effects of Masson pine pollen aqueous extracts (MPPAE) on activated human hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Methods: Via in vitro cell culture, a human HSC line LX-2 activated model stimulated by conditional medium was developed to observe the inhibitory effects and efficacy of MPPAE on HSC proliferation activity, cell morphology, apoptosis, and functional changes. Results: After being stimulated by L-02 conditioned medium, the LX-2 cell was activated, and the contents of type I and type III collagen increased. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1 and MMP-2 did not change significantly, but the expression of TIMP-1 significantly increased (about 85.2%). MPPAE can reduce collagen content and upregulate the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2. At the same time, MPPAE played a significant regulatory role on the unusually high expression of TIMP-1. Therefore, MPPAE regulates the contents of type I and III collagen through downregulation of TIMP-1 expression to reduce the inhibitory effect of TIMP-1 on MMPs and indirectly enhance extracellular matrix catabolism. Conclusion: MPPAE effectively inhibits activated HSC in vitro. The mechanism is the combination of regulation of the expression of extracellular matrix – related protein and promotion of apoptosis of activated HSC, among other factors. Thus, it might be an ideal nutritional supplement for antifibrosis of the liver.

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