4-methoxy sulfonyl paeonol inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β1/Smad, PDGF-BB/MAPK and Akt signaling pathways

Yi Jen Liao, Yuan Hsi Wang, Chao Lien Liu, Cheng Chieh Fang, Ming Hua Hsu, Fat Moon Suk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Liver fibrosis initiates the progression of cirrhosis, and, finally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The increased proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are crucial for hepatic fibrogenesis. Paeonol is the major vigorous component of Cortex Moutan, a traditional herbal medicine widely used for treating various diseases. Here, we identified a novel paeonol derivative (4-methoxy sulfonyl paeonol, 4-MSP) that inhibits TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and collagen expression in HSCs. 4-MSP pretreatment suppressed the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of MAPK pathway members (MEK/ERK, p38, JNK), Akt/p70S6K, and HSC proliferation. However, 4-MSP treatment had no effect on the induction of apoptosis in HSCs. The microarray experiments showed that 4-MSP treatment affects the TGF-β signaling, MAPK cascade, and other pathways related to HSCs activation and proliferation. The administration of 4-MSP to a liver fibrosis mouse model induced by CCl4 significantly decreased the expression of hepatic fibrosis markers (a-SMA, col1A2, TGF-β, and MMP2), and attenuated hepatic collagen deposition and liver damage. In addition, no adverse effects were observed in 4-MSP exposed mice. In conclusion, this novel paeonol-phenylsulfonyl derivative prevents the progression of liver fibrosis through blocking TGF-β1/Smad, PDGF-BB/MAPK, and Akt signaling, which suggests its use as a novel therapeutic against liver fibrosis.
Original languageEnglish
Article number5941
JournalApplied Sciences (Switzerland)
Volume10
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1 2020

Keywords

  • Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)
  • Liver fibrosis
  • Paeonol derivative

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Instrumentation
  • General Engineering
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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