Breviscapine alleviates liver fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition via TGF-beta1/Smad3 pathway

Liver fibrosis may develop into cirrhosis and liver cancer, lacking effective approved treatments. Breviscapine extracted from Erigeron breviscapus possesses low toxicity and favorable pharmacokinetics, yet its anti-fibrotic mechanisms remain unclear. This study verified its protective effects on cell and rat fibrosis models. It suppresses HSC activation and ECM accumulation by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway, reversing EMT. Breviscapine is a promising candidate for hepatic fibrosis therapy.