Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Cell Proliferation by a Heme Oxygenase-Dependent Pathway in Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells

Abstract

We evaluated whether the antiproliferative effects of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are related to the induction of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression. ISL significantly inhibited serum- or growth factor-induced HSC proliferation. The inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced proliferation by ISL was associated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-p70^S6K pathways. ISL induced the expression of HO-1 in HSCs. Using the chemical inhibitor tin protoporphyrin, we also found that the inhibitory action of ISL on PDGF-induced proliferation is mediated by HO-1. These data suggest that HO-1 expression is responsible for the antiproliferative effect of ISL on HSCs.

Key words

isoliquiritigenin - Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen - Leguminosae - hepatic stellate cell - heme oxygenase 1 - mitogen-activated protein kinase

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