Curcumin affects β‐catenin pathway in hepatic stellate cell in vitro and in vivo. (19th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Lei; Jia, Xin; Zhou, Qian; Zhai, Xuguang; Zhou, Yajun; Zhu, Huixia
• Is Part Of: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Volume 66:Number 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1615
• Page End: 1622
• Publication Date: 2014-06-19
• Subjects: Pharmacy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3573

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jphp12283-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Emerging evidence indicates that Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is linked to the fibrosis of different organs including liver fibrosis. β‐Catenin promotes hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, a key event in the development of liver fibrosis, and has emerged as a novel mediator of fibrosis. Curcumin, a natural active ingredient derived from turmeric, possesses an inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis. This study is aimed to examine whether curcumin affects β‐catenin expression/activity in HSCs and explores the underlying mechanisms.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12283-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The researchers used Western blot, real‐time PCR, transfection assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and employed cultured HSCs and rat model of liver injury.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12283-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Key findings</title> <p>Results showed that curcumin could reduce β‐catenin protein level in HSCs <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>. Both β‐catenin transactivation activity and DNA‐binding activity were suppressed by curcumin. Moreover, nuclear β‐catenin protein level was decreased by curcumin treatment. Further experiments suggested that delta‐like homologue 1 contributed to curcumin inhibition of β‐catenin transactivation activity in cultured HSCs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jphp12283-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Curcumin affects β‐catenin pathway in HSCs and might suggest a possible new explanation for the effects of curcumin on HSC activation and liver fibrosis.</p> </sec> </abstract>