Nano-Curcumin Inhibits Hepatic Stellate Cells Proliferations Induced by Alcohol by Inhibiting TGF-β

Introduction: Hepatic stellate cells activation and proliferation is an important pathway in the development of liver fibrosis due to alcoholic diseases. Evidence suggests that TGF-beta is a key regulator in chronic liver disease contributing to all stages of disease progression from initial liver injury to fibrosis and finally to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Many studies had shown that curcumin exerts anti-TGF-beta, but its biological activity was limited by its lack of bioavailability. In this study we aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of nano-curcumin on hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its corresponding TGF-beta levels. Method: Nano-curcumin used were obtained from curcumin using Planetary Ball Mill. Hepatic stellate cells, LX2, cells were incubated with 50 mM ethanol with or without nano-curcumin (1 and 10 mu M). Hepatic stellate cells viability was counted using trypan blue exclusion method, while the concentrations of TGF-beta were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of nano-curcumin with or without alcohol on the response of hepatic stellate cells were also examined. Result: Particle size of nano-curcumin used was about 200-500 nm. Nano-curcumin treatment resulted in a significantly reduced proliferation of hepatic stellate cells proliferation. These findings were followed with a significant decreased in TGF-beta levels in the cells treated nano-curcumin in both dosages examined. Nano-curcumin alone (without alcohol) also resulted in reduced proliferation, but no change in TGF-beta concentrations. Conclusion: Nano-curcumin significantly inhibited hepatic stellate cells proliferation by decreasing TGF-beta protein levels.