Open Access

Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post‑laminectomy

  • Authors:
    • Daoliang Xu
    • Weimin Zeng
    • Xuyao Han
    • Tianchen Qian
    • Jingyu Sun
    • Fangzhou Qi
    • Chen Liu
    • Quan Wang
    • Haiming Jin
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: October 22, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4765
  • Pages: 2057-2068
  • Copyright: © Xu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Epidural fibrosis (EF)‑induced failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) in patients post‑laminectomy remains a medical challenge. Although the scarring mechanisms remain unclear, the majority of aetiological studies have reported fibroblast dysfunction. Honokiol, the major bioactive constituent of the magnolia tree, exerts a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti‑proliferative and anti‑fibrotic effects, on various cell types. The present study investigated whether honokiol attenuates EF progression. In vitro, it was found that honokiol inhibited excessive fibroblast proliferation induced by transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1) and the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including fibronectin and type I collagen, in a dose‑dependent manner. These effects were attributed to the ability of honokiol to suppress the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which is indispensable for the progression of fibrosis. Mechanistically, honokiol attenuated the TGF‑β1‑induced activation of the Smad2/3 and mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways in fibroblasts. In vivo, honokiol reduced the proliferation of fibroblasts and the synthesis of ECM components, thus ameliorating EF in a rat model post‑laminectomy. Taken together, these preclinical findings suggest that honokiol deserves further consideration as a candidate therapeutic agent for EF.
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December-2020
Volume 46 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Xu D, Zeng W, Han X, Qian T, Sun J, Qi F, Liu C, Wang Q and Jin H: Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post‑laminectomy. Int J Mol Med 46: 2057-2068, 2020
APA
Xu, D., Zeng, W., Han, X., Qian, T., Sun, J., Qi, F. ... Jin, H. (2020). Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post‑laminectomy. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 46, 2057-2068. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4765
MLA
Xu, D., Zeng, W., Han, X., Qian, T., Sun, J., Qi, F., Liu, C., Wang, Q., Jin, H."Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post‑laminectomy". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 46.6 (2020): 2057-2068.
Chicago
Xu, D., Zeng, W., Han, X., Qian, T., Sun, J., Qi, F., Liu, C., Wang, Q., Jin, H."Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post‑laminectomy". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 46, no. 6 (2020): 2057-2068. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4765