Inhibition of oxymatrine and homemade interferon-α1b and α2b on the proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat hepatic stellate cells

Objective To invesigate the effect of oxymatrine, a Chinese herbal medicine, and interferon-α1b and α2b on proliferation and collagen synthesis of rat stellate cells in vitro. Methods The cell proliferation and collagen synthesis were tested by MTT and 3 H-proline incorporation, respectively. Results The inhibition of proliferation and collagen synthesis by oxymatrine at dose of 5～500 μg·mL -1 , and by interferon-α lb and interferon-α 2b 500～10 000 U·mL -1 , were observed in aconcentration-dependent manner. Conclusions The Chinese herbal medicine, oxymatrine, has the similar inhibiting potential as interferon-α on rat stellate cells in vitro.