Curcumin affects β-catenin pathway in hepatic stellate cell in vitro and in vivo

Emerging evidence indicates that Wnt/β-catenin pathway is linked to the fibrosis of different organs including liver fibrosis. β-Catenin promotes hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, a key event in the development of liver fibrosis, and has emerged as a novel mediator of fibrosis. Curcumin, a natural active ingredient derived from turmeric, possesses an inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis. This study is aimed to examine whether curcumin affects β-catenin expression/activity in HSCs and explores the underlying mechanisms.

The researchers used Western blot, real-time PCR, transfection assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay and employed cultured HSCs and rat model of liver injury.

Results showed that curcumin could reduce β-catenin protein level in HSCs in vitro and in vivo. Both β-catenin transactivation activity and DNA-binding activity were suppressed by curcumin. Moreover, nuclear β-catenin protein level was decreased by curcumin treatment. Further experiments suggested that delta-like homologue 1 contributed to curcumin inhibition of β-catenin transactivation activity in cultured HSCs.

Curcumin affects β-catenin pathway in HSCs and might suggest a possible new explanation for the effects of curcumin on HSC activation and liver fibrosis.