Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of ethanol extracts from Lonicera japonic on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats and its mechanism. Method: The rat hepatic fibrosis model was established with carbon tetrachloride(CCl4

sc 8 weeks

ip 4 weeks).All the experimental rats were divided into four groups: normal group(A)

model group(B)

colchicines group(C

0.2 mg·kg-1·d-1)

ethanol extracts from L. japonic group(D

5.4 g·kg-1·d-1).All groups except A were given carbon tetrachloride(sc 3 mL·kg-1

2/weeks) to induce the rat model of hepatic fibrosis. All experimental rats were killed at eight weeks after the models were established. Serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA)

laminin(LN)

pro-collagen type Ⅲ peptide(PCⅢ) and collagen type Ⅳ peptide(CⅣ)were detected by radio immunoassay; and examined the Smad3 mRNA expression in rat hepatic tissue by using RT-PCR technology. The liver histopathological changes were observed with HE or special collegin fibrosis staining and its ultrasructures were observed in electronic-microscope before and after therapy. Result: Compared with normal group in model group

the serum level of LN(207.6±27.4) μg·L-1

PCⅢ(280.1±3.2) μg·L-1

HA(357.0±14.1) μg·L-1)

CⅣ(180.0±7.0) μg·L-1

the Smad3 mRNA expression in the rat hepatic tissue were significantly increased (P<0.01)

ethanol extracts of L. japonica treatments(8 weeks) significantly decreased the serum level of LN(207.6±27.4) μg·L-1

PCⅢ(280.1±3.2)μg·L-1

HA(357.0±14.1)μg·L-1

CⅣ(180.0±7.0) μg·L-1(P<0.01).Also the Smad3 mRNA expression in the rat hepatic tissue decreased markedly(P<0.01).The liver histopathological improvement was also obvious. Conclusion: L. japonica can effectively suppress the development of hepatic fibrosis

its mechanism may be achieved by down-regulating the Smad3 mRNA expression in hepatic tissue

and reducing the secretion of extracellular matrix(ECM).