Objective: To investigate the effects of tetrandrine on the synthesis of collagen and scar derived fibroblast DNA.
Methods: Scar-derived human fibroblasts were cultured in vitro. The changes in the levels of the synthesis of collagen and DNA of the fibroblasts were represented by the incorporation values of (3)H-TdR and (3)H-proline into the cells. Tetrandrine was added to the culture media of the cells, and its effects were studied.
Results: When the concentration of added tetrandrine increased from 5 mg/L to 80 mg/L, The (3)H-TdR values in scar-derived fibroblasts were 1162 plus minus 226 and 412 plus minus 82, respectively while that in control group was 1740 plus minus 165, showing an inhibition rate of 76.32%, and the difference (P < 0.01). In addition, the (3)H-proline incorporation values in the cells were 535 plus minus 141 and 341 plus minus 89, respectively, while that in control group was 1126 plus minus 193, with the inhibition rate of 69.71%, showing significant difference (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The synthesis of DNA and collagen in cultured scar-derived fibroblasts could be inhibited by tetrandrine in dose-dependent pattern. Tetrandrine might be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of proliferative scars.