Abstract
Keloids are benign dermal tumors characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and excessive accumulation of collagen. Oxymatrine (OMT) is an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora japonica with capacities of anti-fibrosis. To evaluate the effects of OMT on collagen production and to explore its mechanisms. OMT was applied to human keloid fibroblasts in vitro. Collagen, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β receptor, and Smads were analyzed by Western Blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. We found that both collagen synthesis and Smad3 production were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent administration of OMT. However, expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β receptor1, TGF-β receptor2, Smad4, and Smad7 was unchanged. We also found that OMT reversed phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad3 induced by TGF-β1. OMT inhibited collagen synthesis, which might be associated with TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. These findings suggest that OMT may be a promising candidate to prevent keloid and other fibrotic diseases.
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