Hedgehog IN-5, an orally active small molecule inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, can be used for the research of fibrotic disease [1].

In models of induced fibrosis, Hedgehog IN-5 exhibits notable therapeutic effects by inhibiting fibrotic progression. When administered orally at doses of 5-30 mg/kg daily for two weeks after Bleomycin induction in a rat model of lung fibrosis, it significantly reduces lung fibrosis indicators. Additionally, Hedgehog IN-5, used at doses of 5-20 mg/kg daily for four weeks, demonstrates a trend toward inhibiting liver fibrosis in a C57BL/6 mouse model induced by CCL4, reducing hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, and fibrosis area. Furthermore, the combination of Hedgehog IN-5 (10-20 mg/kg) and BIBF1120 (50 mg/kg) over 20 days efficiently suppresses Bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. In the specified animal models, Hedgehog IN-5 decreases the fibrotic markers such as α-SMA protein in the lungs and reduces liver tissue fibrosis while also impacting liver enzyme levels positively.