Objective: To explore the effect of Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix on carbon tetrachloride CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis of cynomolgus monkeys and the underling mechanism. Method: The 30 male cynomolgus monkeys were randomly divided into 5 groups

namely normal group

model group

colchicine group (0.08 mg·kg-1)

Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix high and low dose groups (4.0

2.4 g·kg-1)

with 6 monkeys in each group. Except the monkeys in normal group

CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis models were established by intragastrical administration of 40% carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) olive oil mixture at dose of 1.6 mL·kg-1 in other animals

2 times a week. From week 4

intragastrical administration was given for 12 weeks in various treatment groups. They were weighed every 4 weeks

and blood was taken to detect liver function. The levels of hyaluronic acid (HA)

laminin(LN)

metal matrix proteinase-1(MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in serum were detected by using ELISA. At week 8 and week 16

livers of all animals were detected by B ultrasound

then aspiration biopsy was conducted under B ultrasound. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Van-Gienson staining were conducted on the aspiration biopsy samples

and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and smooth muscle actin-α (α-SMA) in liver were also detected in the samples by Western blot. Result: After administration of CCl4 for 8 weeks

the levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT)

aspartate amino transferase (AST)

total bilirubin (TBIL)

alkaline phosphatase(ALP)

HA and LN in serum were increased in model group

colchicines group

and Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix high and low dose groups as compared with control group and before modeling before

while total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) in serum were decreased significantly (P<0.05

P<0.01). After modeling for 12 weeks

TIMP-1 was increased significantly in model group and all treatment groups as compared with the normal group (P<0.05). After modeling for 16 weeks

the strong echo was enhanced in liver of model group in detecting by B ultrosound

and HE staining showed hepatocyte necrosis and fibroblast proliferation; Van-Gieson staining showed that the content of collagen fiber was increased

and the expression levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in liver were increased significantly in model group (P<0.05). After administration of colchicines or Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix for 8 weeks

the levels of AST

ALT

TBIL

ALP and HA in serum were decreased significantly in colchicines group and high dose Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix group as compared with model group

while the level of TP was increased differently (P<0.05

P<0.01). After administration of colchicines or Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix for 12 weeks

the levels of LN and TIMP-1 were decreased significantly in colchicines group and high dose Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix group (P<0.05)

while the level of ALB was increased (P<0.05). The results from B ultrasound and pathological examination showed that the fibrosis in liver was relieved in colchicines group and high dose Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix group

and the levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in liver were also decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Administration of Phyllodii Pulchelli Radix at dose of 4.0 g·kg-1 showed significant efficacy for liver fibrosis of cynomolgus monkeys

could obviously improve the liver function and reduce the degree of fibrosis. The underlying mechanism may be correlated with reduction of liver cell damage and prevention of collagen fiber formation.