Effect of emodin on biological behavior of fibroblasts in lupus nephritis

Objective: To observe the effect of emodin on the biological behavior of human fibroblasts (FB) in culture of kidney in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: FB were isolated from kidney culture of LN patients, and the effect of emodin on 3H TdR incorporated rate of FB was observed. The apoptosis and c myc gene expression were detected in the same way by flow cytometry. Results: Emodin could markedly inhibit the proliferation of human kidney FB, and inducing cell apoptosis through up regulating c myc gene expression in human renal FB. Conclusion: Emodin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of FB, which may be important in ameliorating interstitial fibrosis, and thus improve prognosis of LN.