
The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a significant phenomenon during the pathogenesis of liver disorders, including liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. Here, we identified that the extract from a gorgonian coral Pinnigorgia sp. (Pin) induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells. Pin inhibited the viability of HSC-T6 cells and increased their subG1 population, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a concentration-dependent manner. The Pin-induced ROS generation and apoptotic effects were significantly reversed by a thiol antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, Pin induced ERK/JNK phosphorylation and pharmacological inhibition of ERK/JNK rescued the Pin-induced cell death. Pin-activated ERK/JNK were significantly reduced after the administration of NAC; however, the inhibition of ERK/JNK failed to change the Pin-induced ROS production. Similarly, pinnigorgiol A, a pure compound isolated from Pin, elicited ROS production and apoptosis in HSC-T6 cells. The pinnigorgiol A-induced apoptosis was retrained by NAC. Together, it appears that Pin leads to apoptosis in HSC-T6 cells through ROS-mediated ERK/JNK signaling and caspase-3 activation. Pinnigorgiol A serves as a bioactive compound of Pin and may exhibit therapeutic potential by clearance of HSCs.
caspase-3, QH301-705.5, Cell Survival, Apoptosis, Article, Cell Line, Pinnigorgia sp., Hepatic Stellate Cells, Animals, Biology (General), Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Caspase 3, apoptosis, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, ROS, Anthozoa, MAPK, Rats, Sterols, hepatic stellate cells, Reactive Oxygen Species, hepatic stellate cells; <i>Pinnigorgia</i> sp.; ROS; apoptosis; caspase-3; MAPK, Signal Transduction
caspase-3, QH301-705.5, Cell Survival, Apoptosis, Article, Cell Line, Pinnigorgia sp., Hepatic Stellate Cells, Animals, Biology (General), Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Caspase 3, apoptosis, JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, ROS, Anthozoa, MAPK, Rats, Sterols, hepatic stellate cells, Reactive Oxygen Species, hepatic stellate cells; <i>Pinnigorgia</i> sp.; ROS; apoptosis; caspase-3; MAPK, Signal Transduction
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