Target : TGF-beta/Smad
Pirfenidone (< 300 μg/mL) suppresses the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by a translational mechanism in RAW264.7 cells, which is independent of activation of the mitogen-activated protain kinase (MAPK) 2, p38 MAP kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Pirfenidone (250 mg/kg) potently inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6, but enhances the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10, in mice [1].  Pirfenidone (< 10 mM) leads to reduced glioma cell density in concentration-dependent manner in LN-18, T98G, LNT-229 and LN-308 cell lines. Pirfenidone (< 5 mM) reduces TGF-β bioactivity by affecting TGF-β2 mRNA expression and processing of pro-TGF-β in CCL-64 cells. Pirfenidone (< 8.3 mM) inhibits the activity of recombinant furin and downregulates the expression of MMP-11 in a dose-dependent manner in LN-308 cells. Pirfenidone (0.5%, liquid diet) treatment reduces the degree of liver injury in rats, as determined by alanine aminotransferase values and necro-inflammatory score, which is associated with reduced hepatic stellate cells proliferation and collagen deposition. Pirfenidone (0.5%, liquid diet) administration downregulates dimethylnitrosamine induced transcripts levels of procollagen alpha1(I), TIMP-1 and MMP-2 by 50-60% in rats, and this is associated with a 70% reduction in collagen deposition.