The Effects of Astragalus Injection on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Cultured Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Objective To investigate the effects of astragalus injection on the proliferation and apoptosis of the hepatic stellate cells(HSC) in vitro. Methods HSCs were incubated with various concentration of astragalus injection(0 mg/ml,25 mg/ml,50 mg/ml,100 mg/ml,200 mg/ ml ,400 mg/ml) for 24,48 and 72 hours. Cell proliferation was detected with MTT colorimetric assay. Cell proliferal cycle was detected with flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was detected with AO/EB fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Resultes OD in each astragalus injection group(except for the 25 mg/ml,24 hour group) was significantly lower than that in control group(P0.05). The cell numbers of G2-M phase detected by flow cytometry in astragalus injection 200 mg/ml-24 h and 48 h group were significantly higher than that in control group (P 0. 01). HSCs apoptosis was not detected in astragalus injection each group through AO/EB fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Coclusion Astragalus injection can prevent hepatic fibrosis mainly through inhibiting proliferation of HSCs.