Effects of carthamus tinctorius on gene expression of interstitial collagenase and type I collagen in HSC-T6 cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of carthamus tinctorius on gene expression of interstitial collagenase and type Ⅰ collagen in HSC-T6 cells.Methods Hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T) were cultured in medium containing different concentrations of carthamus tinctorius (1.0,and 0.5 g/L) and harvested after incubation for 48 h.Total RNA of HSCs was isolated and gene expression levels of interstitial collagenase (MMP13) and type Ⅰ collagen were detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.Results MMP13 gene expression levels in different groups of carthamus tinctorius (1.0,and 0.5 g/L) were 0.63 ±0.10 and 0.40 ±0.07 respectively,and that in control group was 0.26 ±0.04.Type Ⅰ collagen gene expression levds in different groups of carthamus tinctorius (1.0,and 0.5 g/L)were 1.30 ±0.20 and 1.97 ±0.36 respectively,and that in control group was 3.12 ±0.46.Conclusion Carthamus tinctorius may significantly enhance MMP13 gene expression in HSC-T6 ceils,but inhibit type Ⅰ collagen gene expression remarkably in a dose-dependent manner. Key words: Carthamus tinctorius; Hepatic stellate cells; Interstitial collagenase; Type Ⅰ collagen; Gene expression