Effects of cordycep polysaccharide on rat hepatic stellate cell proliferation and collagen gene expression in vitro

Objective: To investigate the action mechanisms of cordycep polysaccharide (CP) in anti-liver fibrosis. Method: Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) from liver of Wistar rats were isolated and cultured by in situ perfusion with pronase and collagenase and density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis were determined by MTT colorimetric assay and 3H-Proline incorporation. Results: At the dose of 1.0～40 ug/ml, CP obviously inhibited HSC proliferation and collagen synthesis in a drug concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: CP can markedly inhibit HSC proliferation and collagen syntheses,and it may be one of the mechanisms for the depression of hepatic fibrosis by CP.