Objective: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE) on experimental liver fibrosis. Method: Experimental liver fibrosis models were induced by injection of carbon tetrachloride in combination with the drinking of 5% alcohol on rats and Schistosoma japomicum infection in mice. The effect of MCE on anti-hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by comparing the liver index

tissue biochemical indices(ALT

AST)

lipid peroxidation indices(GSH-Px

MDA

SOD)

serum fibrosis indices(HA

PCⅢ

LN)

the expression levels of Hyp and collagen type Ⅰ

Ⅲ(CoⅠ

CoⅢ)

the liver pathology before and after MCE intervention. Result: In CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model in rats

Compared with model group

the liver index

the level of AST

the expression of CoⅠwere obviously decreased in MCE preventive groups

and high-dose preventive MCE could significantly reduce the content of LN and the expressionof CoⅢ

middle-dose preventive MCE could significantly reduce the content of MDA and the expression of CoⅢ. The liver index

the contents of HA

MDA

the expression of CoⅢ were significantly decreased in MCE therapeutic group; in S.japomicum-induced liver fibrosis model in mice

preventive MCE could significantly reduce the content of ALT

the expression of Hyp and CoⅠ; the liver index

the contents of PCⅢ

LN

HA

AST

ALT in serum and the expression of CoⅠwere significantly decreased in high-dose MCE therapeutic group

and middle-dose therapeutic MCE could significantly reduce the levels of PCⅢ

HA

AST

ALT. In addition

the hepatic histopathology were also improved in varying degrees after MCE intervention. Conclusion: MCE has preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental liver fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic lipid peroxidation and alleviating the inflammation.