Effect of amygdalin on proliferation of rat hepatic fat-storing cells and collagen production in vitro.

Abstract

To study the anti-fibrotic mechanism of amygdalin, a component of Semen Persicae, on fat-storing cells (FSC). Livers of normal adult rats were perfused with Pronas E and collagenase in situ. FSC were isolated by centrifugation with 11% Metrizamide. The subcultured FSC were incubated with 10(-4)-10(-8) mol/L amygdalin for 72 h, and then FSC proliferation and collagen production were assayed, respectively. Low doses of amygdalin reduced incorporation of L-[(3)H]-thymidine into FSC and L-[5-(3)H]-proline into secreted collagenase-sensitive proteins and cell layer-associated collagenase-sensitive proteins. the strongest effects were seen for the 10(-8) mol/L dose of amygdalin, which inhibited the proliferation of FSC by 25.0%, and decreased collagen production in medium and cell layer by 24.2% and 26.8%, respectively. An anti-fibrotic mechanism of amygdalin is to inhibit the proliferation and collagen production of active FSC.