Abstract: Aim The effect of compound 861 (Cpd 861) on rat hepatic stellate cell(HSC) proliferation and collagen synthesis in vitro was observed. Methods The second passage of HSC was exposed to Cpd 861 at a concentration of 1.56 ~ 100 mg/ ml for 48 hours. MTT colorimetric assay was used to evaluate the effect of Cpd 861 on HSC proliferation. After incubation with Cpd 861 for 48 hours, HSC was harvested to determine collagen type I, III, IV mRNA by dot blot hybridization and cell culture medium was used to detect collagen secretion by ELISA method. Results Cpd 861 (through 0.45 μm filter membrane) could reduce MTT transforming rate and the inhibitory effect had a positive relation with the concentration of Cpd 861 in the cultured medium. Type I, III, IV collagen and TGF(β1 productions, were inhibited by Cpd 861 at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Conclusion The antifibrotic mechanism of Cpd 861 was partly due to its inhibition of HSC proliferation and collagen production, which would reduce deposition in the liver.

Key words: hepatic stellate cell, cell culture, extracellular matrix, herbal compound