Corilagin Counteracts IL-13Rα1 Signaling Pathway in Macrophages to Mitigate Schistosome Egg-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis.

The IL-13Rα1 signaling pathway and M2 macrophages play crucial roles in schistosome egg-induced hepatic fibrosis via the expression of pro-fibrotic molecules. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of action of corilagin on schistosome egg-induced hepatic fibrosis via the IL-13Rα1 signaling pathway in M2 macrophages and . The mRNA and protein expression of IL-13Rα1, PPARγ, KLF4, SOCS1, STAT6, p-STAT6, and TGF-β was measured with corilagin treatment after IL-13 stimulation and corilagin treatment after effectively killing the adult schistosomes in schistosome-infected mice. Histological analysis of liver tissue was assessed for the degree of hepatic fibrosis. The results revealed that corilagin significantly reduced the expression of PPARγ, KLF4, SOCS1, p-STAT6, and TGF-β compared with model group and praziquantel administration ( < 0.01 or < 0.05) and , which indicated a strong inhibitory effect of corilagin on IL-13Rα1 signaling pathway. As well, the inhibitory effect of corilagin showed a significant dose-dependence ( < 0.05). The area of fibrosis and distribution of M2 macrophages in mouse liver tissue were reduced significantly and dose-dependently with corilagin treatment compared to model group or praziquantel administration ( < 0.01 or < 0.05), indicating that corilagin suppressed IL-13Rα1 signaling pathway and M2 macrophage polarization effectively . Furthermore, the anti-fibrogenic effect persisted even when IL-13Rα1 was up- or down-regulated . In conclusion, corilagin can suppress schistosome egg-induced hepatic fibrosis via inhibition of M2 macrophage polarization in the IL-13Rα1 signaling pathway.