In vitro protective effects of salvianolic acid B on primary hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is believed to be involved in liver injury and hepatic fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key feature of liver fibrosis. Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese herb used in the treatment of cardiovascular and liver diseases to resolve stasis. The effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a major component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on oxidative damage include free radical DPPH scavenging, malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and ROS generation in primary rat hepatocytes and HSCs, and on α-SMA, and collagen expression in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated HSCs were examined. Results indicated that Sal B scavenged DPPH potently with an IC₅₀ 2.2 ± 0.2 μg/ml (3.06 ± 0.3 μM), inhibited lipid peroxidation and eliminated ROS accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner on primary rat hepatocytes and HSCs. Sal B also reduced α-SMA and collagen synthesis and deposition in HSCs, and had no direct cytotoxicity on both hepatocytes and HSCs. Our results suggest that Sal B ameliorated oxidative damage and eliminated ROS accumulation in hepatocytes, and attenuated HSC activation, potentially conferring hepatoprotective and anti-fibrogenic effects.