Salidroside ameliorates autophagy and activation of hepatic stellate cells in mice via NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways

PURPOSE: Liver fibrosis is commonly seen and a necessary stage in chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of salidroside on liver fibrosis in mice and its potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two mouse liver fibrosis models were established by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) for 8 weeks and bile duct ligation for 14 days. Salidroside was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg once a day. Gene and protein expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Salidroside inhibited the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and regulated the balance between MMP2 and TIMP1 and, therefore, alleviated liver fibrosis in the two fibrosis models. Salidroside reduced the production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) via the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway and, therefore, inhibited the activation of HSCs and autophagy by downregulation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Salidroside can effectively attenuate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of HSCs in mice.