In vitro effect of total flavones of Fructus Chorspondiatis on expression of collagen type I and type Ⅲ mRNA and protein of cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts

This study aims to investigate the effect of total flavones of Fructus Chorspondiatis (TFFC) on the mRNA and protein expression of collagen type I and Ⅲ of rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), and explore its anti-myocardial fibrosis molecular mechanism. Neonatal rat CFs were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats (1-3 d after birth). The expression of collagen type I and Ⅲ mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The study showed that stimulation of neonatal rat CFs with 100 nmol·L^-1 of Ang Ⅱ for 72 h resulted in a significant increase of the expression of collagen type I and Ⅲ mRNA and protein. The changes on the expression level were blocked by TFFC. The results demonstrated that TFFC can inhibit myocardial fibrosis induced by Ang Ⅱ in rats, which is probably associated with the collagen type I and Ⅲ mRNA and protein levels up-regulated by Ang Ⅱ, and TFFC was shown to decrease the expression levels of collagen type I and Ⅲ mRNA and protein.