Danhongqing formula alleviates cholestatic liver fibrosis by downregulating long non-coding RNA H19 derived from cholangiocytes and inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation.

Objective: This study explores the mechanism of action of Danhongqing formula (DHQ), a compound-based Chinese medicine formula, in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis.

Methods: In vivo experiments were conducted using 8-week-old multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (Mdr2) mice as an animal model of cholestatic liver fibrosis. DHQ was administered orally for 8 weeks, and its impact on cholestatic liver fibrosis was evaluated by assessing liver function, liver histopathology, and the expression of liver fibrosis-related proteins.

Resveratrol inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation by regulating autophagy and apoptosis through the SIRT1 and JNK signaling pathways.

Resveratrol, which is a natural polyphenol found in grapes, berries, peanuts, and medicinal plants, has previously been reported to perform several biological functions, including inhibition of hepatic fibrosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major cellular source of matrix protein-secreting myofibroblasts, which are the major drivers of liver fibrogenesis. Numerous studies on the protective effects of resveratrol against liver fibrosis have focused on the inhibition of HSC activation.

Salvianolic acid B inhibits autophagy and activation of hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1 by downregulating the MAPK pathway.

In liver fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can stimulate autophagy and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Autophagy, playing a crucial role in HSCs activation, is related to liver fibrosis. Increasing evidence have suggested that antifibrosis effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) and their mechanisms of action, however, remain unclear.

[Study on mechanism of salidroside against liver fibrosis by regulating CXCL16].

In order to investigate the effect of salidroside on inhibiting liver fibrosis and its relationship with CXC chemokine ligand 16(CXCL16) in vivo and in vitro, totally 45 C57 BL/6 J male mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group and salidroside group, with 15 mice in each group. The mice in model group and salidroside group were injected intraperitoneally with 15% carbontetrachloride(CCl_4) olive oil solution to establish liver fibrosis model, and the mice in normal group were injected intraperitoneally with the same dose of olive oil. Salidroside group was given with 100 mg·kg~(-1 )salidroside by gavage, while the normal group and model group received the same amount of double distilled water by gavage.

Salidroside Inhibits CCl-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice by Reducing Activation and Migration of HSC Induced by Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell-Derived Exosomal SphK1.

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)/Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/S1PRs signaling pathway is known to involve the advancement of liver fibrosis. Exosomal SphK1 promotes hepatic stellate cells (HSC) migration. Salidroside (Sal) inhibits liver fibrosis, but its mechanism is yet to be elucidated.

TGF‑β1‑induced autophagy activates hepatic stellate cells via the ERK and JNK signaling pathways.

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1) is one of the most important fibrogenic factors promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Autophagy is a process used by cells to degrade and recycle cellular proteins. Although TGF‑β1 induces autophagy in several other cellular systems, the association between its effect on fibrogenesis and autophagy in HSCs have not been determined.

Histological Outcome of Fuzheng Huayu plus Entecavir Combination Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Significant Liver Fibrosis.

To evaluate the efficacy of Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY), a Chinese herbal formula, plus entecavir (ETV) in regression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with significant fibrosis/cirrhosis. The current study was a two-center, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled pilot study. Fifty-two currently untreated chronic hepatitis B patients with Ishak fibrosis score ≥3 points were identified and 1:1 randomized into FZHY plus ETV combination and placebo plus ETV groups.

Fuzheng Huayu Capsule Attenuates Hepatic Fibrosis by Inhibiting Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells.

Aim: To investigate the mechanisms of Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) Capsule in the treatment of hepatitis B (HBV)- associated fibrosis, HBV patients were divided into two groups, 50 cases were in the nucleotide analogues (NAs) group, while additional 50 cases were in the NAs + FZHY group.

Methods: We assessed the curative effects of antifibrosis through liver function, FibroScan test, and liver biopsy and detected the ratio of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood lymphocyte and CD8T, CD4T, and natural killer cell subsets collected from patients were cocultured with LX-2 cells.

Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of hepatic fibrosis with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (2019 edition).

In 2006, the Hepatology Committee of Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine issued the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Liver Fibrosis with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine." In recent years, the fields of Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and integrative medicine have made rapid advances in basic and clinical research into chronic liver disease, and accumulated new evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, in order to meet clinical needs, liver disease experts of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine were united to revise the previous guidelines in order to help physicians make correct and reasonable decisions in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Sweroside ameliorated carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced liver fibrosis through FXR-miR-29a signaling pathway.

To date, there are very few effective drugs for liver fibrosis treatment; therefore, it is urgent to develop novel therapeutic targets and approaches. In the present research, we sought to study the protective effect of sweroside contained in Lonicera japonica or blue honeysuckle berries in a mouse model of liver fibrosis and investigate the underlying mechanism. The mouse model of liver fibrosis in was induced by intraperitoneal injections of 10% CCl for 6 weeks (three times/week).

Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Activation of Human Primary Hepatic Stellate Cells Through Downregulation of the Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 Signaling Pathway.

Various isoforms of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) have been shown to play a role in the activation of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in culture. The signals that regulate MEF2 in HSCs are unknown. In addition, whether MEF2s regulate the activation of human HSCs (H-HSCs) is unclear.

[Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on CCl₄-induced liver injury in rats and intervention effects of Yiguanjian].

The aim of this paper was to observe the function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation in process of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) and the intervention effect of Yiguanjian (YGJ), a compound of Chinese herbal medicine. Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, cell transplantation (CT) group, YGJ group and cell transplantation plus Yiguanjian (CTY) group. Liver injury was induced through subcutaneous injection with CCl₄ at a dose of 3 mL·kg⁻¹ body weight for 4 weeks, twice a week.

MiR-27a as a predictor for the activation of hepatic stellate cells and hepatitis B virus-induced liver cirrhosis.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can be employed as biomarkers to diagnose liver and other diseases. Noninvasive approaches are needed to complement and improve the current strategies for screening for biomarkers liver cirrhosis. We determined whether the serum levels of miRNAs can distinguish between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and CHB-induced cirrhosis (HBC) and investigated the potential mechanisms involved.

Female gender and gastrointestinal symptoms, not brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are associated with depression and anxiety in cirrhosis.

Aim: Cirrhosis places a substantial burden on the psychological status of affected individuals. The aim of our study was to identify the associated factors of psychological distress in cirrhosis.

Methods: A total of 208 patients with cirrhosis were recruited.

[Study on inhibitory effect of calycosin on hepatic stellate cell activation in rats by up-regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ].

To observe the effect of calycosin on the proliferation and activation of primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in rats, and prove calycosin shows the effects through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The results indicated that calycosin could inhibit HSC proliferation and expressions of activation marker smooth muscle actin-α and type I collagen. With the increase in HSC activation time, FXR expression reduced, but with no notable impact from calycosin.

Yiguanjian decoction and its ingredients inhibit angiogenesis in carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhosis mice.

Background: Cirrhosis is associated with angiogenesis and disruption of hepatic vascular architecture. Yiguanjian (YGJ) decoction, a prescription from traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used for treating liver diseases. We studied whether YGJ or its ingredients (iYGJ) had an anti-angiogenic effect and explored possible mechanisms underlying this process.

Traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of liver diseases: progress, challenges and opportunities.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used in treating liver diseases worldwide, especially in China. The advantages of using TCM for treatment of liver diseases include: protecting hepatocytes, inhibiting hepatic inflammation and antifibrosis in the liver. In this article, we introduce TCM herbal preparations from the Chinese materia medica (such as Fuzheng Huayu) that are typically used for the treatment of liver diseases.

[A randomized placebo-controlled multicentre study of Fuzhenghuayu capsule for prevention of oesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Fuzhenghuayu capsule for the prevention of oesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: A multicentre randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 181 liver cirrhosis patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to different groups according to the level of oesophageal variceal bleeding.

[Effects of salvianolic acid B on endothelin-1-induced contraction and cytoskeleton organization of hepatic stellate cells in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on endothelin-1 (ET1)-induced contraction and cytoskeleton reorganization of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: HSCs were collected from Sprague-Dawley rats by in situ perfusion with pronase E and isolated by density-gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz. Cells were treated with ET-1, with or without Sal B or Y-27632 (a specific inhibitor of rho-associated protein kinases) pretreatment.

[Effect of Yiguan Decoction on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells: an experimental research].

Objective: To observe the effect of Yiguan Decoction (YGD) on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro.

Methods: Rat BMSCs were isolated using whole bone marrow adherent method. The properties of BMSCs were identified by analyzing the expression of surface cytokines by flow cytometry.

[Performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine on liver fibrosis].

Objective: To assess the performance of FibroScan in evaluating the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on liver fibrosis, and to analyze factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: Data of FibroScan values, types of disease, use of drug, liver function indexes, prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) were collected at both pre- (1 month prior) and post-FibroScan for 102 patients who underwent at least two FibroScan procedures. Patients were subgrouped according to presence of fibrosis, presence of cirrhosis, and TCM formulation and statistically analyzed.

Genetic characteristics of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2.

The human hepatic cell line LX-2 has been described as tool to study mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis and the testing of antifibrotic compounds. It was originally generated by immortalisation with the Simian Vacuolating Virus 40 (SV40) transforming (T) antigen and subsequent propagation in low serum conditions. Although this immortalized line is used in an increasing number of studies, detailed genetic characterisation has been lacking.

[Effects of cordyceps acid and cordycepin on the inflammatory and fibrogenic response of hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of cordyceps acid and cordycepin on the inflammatory phenotype and fibrogenic property of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: An immortalized mouse HSC line (JS1) was stimulated with lippolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/ml) to induce an inflammatory response with or without co-administration of cordyceps acid or cordycepin in various concentrations (10, 50, or 200 mumol/L). Effects of the treatments on the chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression in the cells and the protein secretion in the cell culture supernatants were determined by reverse transcription and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.