Effects of silibinin on proliferation and collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells, HSC-T6 in rats

Objective:To study the hepato protective and antifibrotic properties of silibinin, and its effects on proliferation and collagen synthesis of immortalized rat hepatic stellate cell line, HSC T6 cells. Methods: Cell proliferation was measured by cristal violet staining assay. Collagen synthesis was determined by 3H proline incorporation. Results: Silibinin (6.25 50 μg/ml) concentration dependently reduced the increase of cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of HSC T6 cells stimulated by serum, macrophage conditioned medium and cytokines platelet derived growth factor or transforming growth factor β 1. Conclusion: Inhibition of hepatic stellate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis may be one important mechanism of hepatoprotective and antifibrotic properties of silibinin. [