Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Guishao granules (GG) on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in SD rats. Method: In 90 male SD rats

15 of them were used as the normal group

and other rats were used to induce hepatic fibrosis models by subcutaneously injecting with CCl4(1 mL · kg-1)

two times/week for a total of 13 weeks. The rats were randomly divided into model group

GG low dose group

middle dose group

high dose group (3.5

7.0

14 g · kg-1) and colchicine group (0.1 mg · kg-1)

n=15 in each group. After 13 weeks

liver indexes of the rats were detected;partial liver tissues were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining. Blood was taken to measure the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) in serum were detected by radioimmunoassay. The levels of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver of rats were measured by spectrophotometric method and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in liver was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Result: Compared with the normal group

liver injury and hepatic fibrosis were obvious in the rats of model group;the levels of ALT

AST

HA and LN in the serum were significantly increased in the rats with liver fibrosis;the level of Hyp in liver tissues were significantly increased;and the expression of α-SMA protein in liver tissues was significantly increased (P<0.05

P<0.01). GG could significantly improve liver injury of rats

reduce hepatic fibrosis

significantly reduce the levels of ALT

AST

HA

and LN in the serum of model rats

decrease the level of Hyp in liver tissues

and inhibit the expression of α-SMA protein in liver tissues of the model rats(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: GG could significantly attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats

and its mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells.