Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Ligustrazine on TNF-α-induced TGF-β1 and CTGF expressions in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). Methods HPMCs were isolated from human omenta by trypsin digestion method and subcultured. Then, the HPMCs were divided into control group, TNF-α-induced (1 μg/L) group and TNF-α-induced plus low-, medium- and high-dose Ligustrazine (10, 20 and 40 mg/L Ligustrazine respectively) groups. The viability of HPMCs was measured by MTT assay. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF mRNAs in HPMCs. Proteins of TGF-β1 and CTGF in culture supernatants were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell protein concentration was measured by trace bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method to correct the ELISA assay results. Results Ligustrazine could significantly decrease TNF-α-induced TGF-β1 and CTGF expressions in a dose-dependent manner both in protein and gene levels (P<0.05). In addition, medium- and high-dose Ligustrazine injection could significantly ameliorate the viability of HPMCs inhibited by TNF-α (P<0.05). Conclusion Ligustrazine could inhibit expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF in HPMCs cultured under inflammatory conditions.

Key words: Ligustrazine, inflammatory conditions, human peritoneal mesothelial cells, transforming growth factor-β1, connective tissue growth factor