AIM: To study the effects of six flavonoids (fisetin, quercetin, apigenin,
phloretin, hesperetin, and chalcone) on proliferation of hepatic stellate c
ell (HSC-T6 cells). METHODS: Cell proliferation was measured by crystal vio
let staining assay. RESULTS: Fisetin, quercetin, apigenin, phloretin, hespe
retin, chalcone (6.25 - 50 mu mol.L-1) inhibited the proliferation of HSC-T
6 cells stimulated by serum, macrophage conditioned medium (MCM) and platel
et-derived growth factor (PDGF) in a concentration-depend; :nt manner. In t
he MCM-stimulated proliferation experiment, their IC50 were 21.48, 18.52, 1
9.75, 22.32, 30.32, and 30.85 mu mol.L-1, respectively. In the PDGF-stimula
ted proliferation experiment, their IC50 were 9.47, 9.48, 9.25, 12.25, 25.2
2, and 30.40 mu mol.L-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The six flavonoids inhib
ited the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.