Chinese medicinal plant <i>Polygonum cuspidatum</i> ameliorates silicosis via suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Abstract Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) extract has effect on silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This study aimed to explore the anti-pulmonary-fibrosis effects and mechanism of PC. Sprague–Dawley rat model was constructed by inhalation silicon dioxide suspension through tracheal intubation method. And histopathological examination showed that PC inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrous collagen hyperplasia, protected normal structure alveoli. TUNEL assay declared retarded apoptosis. Meanwhile, up-regulation basic fibroblast growth factor, plated-derived TNF-α in silicosis rats decreased addition. In addition, human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) cells were stimulated with transforming factor-β1 (TGF-β1). administration increased proliferation invasion TGF-β1-stimulated HFL-1 whereas Moreover, western blotting exhibited treatment expression α-smooth muscle actin, I, III cells. Furthermore, levels Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins up-regulated cells, which weakened treatment. Wnt3a (an activator Wnt/β-catenin) addition reversed conclusion, prevents fibrosis inhibiting pathway.