Inhibition of oxymatrine on rat hepatic stellate cells proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro

Objective To investigate the effect of oxymatrine, a chinese herbal medicine on proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro.Methods In isolated and cultured rat stellate cells, MTT or H 3 proline incroporation was used to determine cell proliferation and collagen synthesis, respectively. Results At the dose of 5μg～500μg/ml, oxymatrine was able to inhibit the stellate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusion Oxymatrine has the inhibiting potential of rat hepatic stellate cells in vitro, which might be of practical clinical value in prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis.