Objective: To observe the effects and mechanisms of serum containing Rougan decoction on expression of osteopontin in human hepatic stellate cells induced by TGF-β1. Method: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:the control group

the 3/5 d groups with low-dose Rougan decoction (9 g·kg-1)

the 3/5 d groups with high-dose Rougan decoction (18 g·kg-1) of 6 rats each. Rats in each group received distilled water or Rougan decoction at 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 and the corresponding serums containing drug were obtained. Human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was cultured in DMEM containing 10% control serum or serum containing Rougan decoction. The proliferation of LX-2 cells was detected by using MTT method. LX-2 cells were pretreated with control serum or serum containing Rougan decoction for 24 h followed by incubation with TGF-β1 at the final concentration of 10 μg·L-1 for 24 h. The expression of OPN was detected by real-time PCR and Western blot

the expression of p-PKB was detected by Western blot. Result: Compared with the control group

the proliferation of LX-2 cells in serum containing Rougan decoction groups was significantly inhibited (P<0.05

P<0.01). Meanwhile

the expression of OPN and p-PKB were significantly down-regulated in serum containing Rougan decoction groups (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: The serum containing Rougan decoction has an inhibitory effect on the expression of OPN induced by TGF-β1

the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/PKB signaling pathway.