Nanoscaled San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang Suppresses Liver Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Fibrosis by TGF-β1

Nanotechnology is one of the core technologies in the 21st century. It has potentials for applying to medicine, pharmacy, and Chinese herbal medicine. The quality, efficiency, and safety of nanoscaled Chinese herbs are different from traditional drug form. In this study, the hepatoprotective Chinese herb "San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT)" was investigated. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which played a key role on liver fibrosis were activated by transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta(1)) and then exposed to the extracts of air-dried SHXXT, micro-powdered SHXXT, and nanoscaled SHXXT, respectively. The results showed that MMP-2, TIMP-1, and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions from HSCs were reduced by treating with the extract of nanoscaled SHXXT. However, the expression of Bax and Fas/FasL mRNA were induced. These results suggested that the extract of nanoscaled SHXXT could not only inhibited significantly the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by TGF-beta(1,) but inhibited the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells.