Effects of Oxymatrine on proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts

Objective To study the effects of oxymatrine on the proliferation and synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts so as to explore its mechanisms in inhibition of liver fibrosis. Methods MTT colorimetry, flow cytometry were used to study the effects of oxymatrine on the proliferation and cell cycles of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. ECM components as hyaluronic acid (HA)and collagen type IV (IV-C) were measured by radioimmuno assay. Results Oxymatrine could inhibit the proliferation of NIH/3T3cell, decrease the cell cycle at S phase and the cell proliferation index, and inhibit the synthesis of ECM components in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Oxymatrine can inhibit the proliferation and the ECM synthesis of NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and thus play an important role in its anti-fibrosis mechanism.