Effect of wogonin on liver fibrosis by regulating the Hippo-Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif signaling pathway

ZOU Xiao-ting, DENG Chen-song, HU Ji-tao, XIANG Hai-hong, YUAN Jian-feng, YAN Hong-mei

Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (2) : 185-193.

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Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (2) : 185-193. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.02.006
Cell and Molecules Biology

Effect of wogonin on liver fibrosis by regulating the Hippo-Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif signaling pathway

  • ZOU Xiao-ting1, DENG Chen-song2*, HU Ji-tao1, XIANG Hai-hong1, YUAN Jian-feng1, YAN Hong-mei3
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Abstract

Objective  To investigate the effect of wogonin (Wog) on liver fibrosis in rats with hepatitis B and the mechanism of regulating Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP) / transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) signaling pathway. Methods  Rats were randomly grouped into normal control (NC) group, model group(Mod), low-dose Wog group (Wog-L 10 mg/kg), medium-dose Wog group (Wog-M 20 mg/kg), high-dose Wog group (Wog-H 40 mg/kg), and Wog-H+Hippo inhibitor group (40 mg/kg Wog+7 mg/kg XMU-MP-1), each with 12 rats. Except for the NC group, rat model was established using hepatitis B virus (HBV) in other groups, injected once a week for three consecutive weeks. ELISA assay was used to detect serum liver function indicators, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), and inflammatory factors, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and liver fibrosis indicators, type Ⅳ collagen (Col-Ⅳ), hyaluronic acid (HA), type Ⅲ procollagen peptide (PⅢP), and laminin (LN). Hydroxyproline (Hyp) detection kit for detecting Hyp levels. HE and Masson staining were used to detect the morphology and fibrosis of liver tissue. TUNEL method was used to detect cell apoptosis in liver tissue. Western blotting was used to estimate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), and proteins related to Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of YAP and TAZ in liver tissues. Results  Compared with the NC group, the model group showed swelling, abnormal arrangement of cells, and obvious collagen fiber proliferation in the liver tissue, the levels of serum AST, GGT, ALT, HBeAg, HBsAg, TGF-β, PDGF, Col-Ⅳ, PⅢP, LN, HA, and the proportion of collagen fiber deposition in liver tissues, as well as the levels of Hyp, α-SMA, Col-Ⅰ protein expression, and the apoptosis rate obviously increased (P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression levels of YAP and TAZ increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the liver tissue damage of rats in each dose Wog group was reduced, the levels of serum-related indicators, and the proportion of collagen fiber deposition in liver tissues, as well as the levels of Hyp, α-SMA, Col-Ⅰ protein expression, and the apoptosis rate, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of YAP and TAZ significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the Wog-H group, the Wog-H+XMU-MP-1 group showed obvious liver fibrosis damage (P<0.05). Conclusion  Wog may alleviate liver fibrosis in rats with hepatitis B by regulating activity of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway.

Key words

Hepatitis B
/ Wogonin / Hippo-Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif signaling pathway / Liver fibrosis / Western blotting / Rat

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ZOU Xiao-ting, DENG Chen-song, HU Ji-tao, XIANG Hai-hong, YUAN Jian-feng, YAN Hong-mei. Effect of wogonin on liver fibrosis by regulating the Hippo-Yes-associated protein/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif signaling pathway[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2026, 57(2): 185-193 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2026.02.006

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