Objective: To investigate the effects of Xiaochaihu Decoction on damage of gut-liver-brain in CCl4/ethanol-induced mouse hepatocellular carcinoma. Method: Hepatocellular carcinoma group(HCC) were induced by subcutaneous injection with 25% CCl4 olive oil solution(5 mL·kg-1 twice per week) and allowed free access to a 8% ethanol solution as drinking fluid for 4 weeks

and allowed free access to 0.5% CCl4-8% ethanol solution as drinking fluid for 20 weeks; in HCC combined with liver depression and spleen deficiency(LDSD) group(HCC-LDSD group)

on the basis of HCC modelling

the mice were stimulated with the factor of LDSD

squeezing tails(30 min·d-1)

solitary breeding and intermittent fasting for 4 weeks

solitary breeding and intermittent fasting for 20 weeks; Xiaochaihu decoction(XCHD) treated group was administered by gavage for 8 weeks after 4 weeks of the HCC-LDSD modelling. The mortality rates and HCC incidence rates were calculated

weight and clinical signs were monitored daily. The degree of tissue injuries in the gut and liver were studied using a scoring system

and brain weights were measured. Result: The mortality rate in HCC-LDSD group was higher than that in the HCC group

after treatment with XCHD

the mortality rate decreased significantly.In death mouse of HCC group

significantly more injuries in small intestine

cecum

liver and fecal loading in the cecum

with the increased in brain weights

the most in HCC-LDSD group

after treatment with XCHD

all of which were improved. HCC incidence rate in the HCC-LDSD group was higher than that in the HCC group

after treatment with XCHD

the HCC incidence rate decreased significantly.In survival mouse of HCC group

significantly more injuries in small intestine

cecum

liver(mainly hyperplasia)

with slight decreased in brain weights

the most in HCC-LDSD group

after treatment with XCHD

all of which were improved. Correlative analysis showed that there was a positive or negative correlation between small intestine injuries

cecum injuries

fecal loading in the cecum

liver injuries and brain weights in death mouse and survival mouse. Conclusion: XCHD offered protection against CCl4/ethanol-induced inflammation by decreased the injury of gut-liver-brain

and improved gut-liver-brain interactions

and ultimately decreased mortality rates and HCC incidence rates in CCl4/ethanol-induced mouse HCC

it need further research to understand the molecular mechanism of effects of XCHD.