Curcumin blocks activation of pancreatic stellate cells.

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. Inhibition of activation and cell functions of PSCs is a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. The polyphenol compound curcumin is the yellow pigment in curry, and has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. We here evaluated the effects of curcumin on the activation and cell functions of PSCs. PSCs were isolated from rat pancreas tissue and used in their culture-activated, myofibroblast-like phenotype unless otherwise stated. The effects of curcumin on proliferation, alpha-smooth muscle actin gene expression, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 production, and collagen expression were examined. The effect of curcumin on the activation of freshly isolated cells in culture was also assessed. Curcumin inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced proliferation, alpha-smooth muscle actin gene expression, interleukin-1beta- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced MCP-1 production, type I collagen production, and expression of type I and type III collagen genes. Curcumin inhibited PDGF-BB-induced cyclin D1 expression and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Curcumin inhibited interleukin-1beta- and TNF-alpha-induced activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase), but not of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In addition, curcumin inhibited transformation of freshly isolated cells to myofibroblast-like phenotype. In conclusion, curcumin inhibited key cell functions and activation of PSCs.

Masamune A ，Suzuki N ，Kikuta K ，Satoh M ，Satoh K ，Shimosegawa T ... -  《JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY》

Protease-activated receptor-2-mediated proliferation and collagen production of rat pancreatic stellate cells.

Masamune A ，Kikuta K ，Satoh M ，Suzuki N ，Shimosegawa T ... -  《-》

Fibrinogen induces cytokine and collagen production in pancreatic stellate cells.

Masamune A ，Kikuta K ，Watanabe T ，Satoh K ，Hirota M ，Hamada S ，Shimosegawa T ... -  《-》

Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits ethanol-induced activation of pancreatic stellate cells.

Asaumi H ，Watanabe S ，Taguchi M ，Tashiro M ，Nagashio Y ，Nomiyama Y ，Nakamura H ，Otsuki M ... -  《EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION》

Dual regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced CCL2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells by nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1: modulation by type III phosphodiesterase inhibition.

Chen YM ，Chiang WC ，Lin SL ，Wu KD ，Tsai TJ ，Hsieh BS ... -  《JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS》