Objective: Observed total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn(TFL) on dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced liver fibrosis in rat liver tissue the transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smad signal path key signaling molecule TGF-β1

Smad3

Smad7 expression levels changes

explore the mechanism of TFL antifibrotic. Method: SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of DMN in rat liver fibrosis model for 4 weeks

selected silybin 50 mg·kg-1 ig positive for the control group

then apply a different dose TFL (400

200

100 mg·kg-1·d-1) ig in experimental rats were sacrificed on the sixth week decimation the inferior vena venous detect aspartate transaminase (AST)

alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

specimens from the same liver parts for HE Masson staining pathological changes and liver fibrosis in rats

using RT-PCR method to detect the expression of TGF-β1

Smad3

Smad7 mRNA. Result: Compared with blank control group

the degree of liver fibrosis in rats was obviously increased in model group and the serum AST and ALT were significantly increased

and the expression of TGF β1 Smad3 mRNA in the liver tissue obviously increased (P<0.05)

while the expression of Smad7 mRNA significantly reduced (P<0.05)

compared with model group

TFL each dose group and silybin group serum AST

ALT were significantly lower than the model group

the expression of liver TGF-beta 1

smad3 significantly decreased (P<0.05)

while the smad7 was increased. Conclusion: Total flavone from Litchi chinensis Sonn(TFL) may reduce liver injury and improve liver fibrosis in rats

and its mechanism may be closely related with suppression the expression of TGF-β1

Smad3 mRNA

or increase the expression of Smad7 mRNA.