Objective: To investigate the effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule (DSHX) on the expressions of Gremlin and bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) in rat hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and to explore its possible mechanism in treating hepatic fibrosis. Method: A total of 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group

Fuzheng Huayu capsule group (0.8 g ·kg-1)

low-and high-dose DSHX treated group (0.5

1.0 g · kg-1) (n=5). Rats in each group were intragastrically administered with the corresponding medicines

respectively

twice per day for 5 days. Then

the drug-containing serums were collected and added to the cultured HSC-T6.HSC proliferation was detected using MTT colorimetric assay. Collagen (Col) Ⅰ

Col Ⅲ and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) of culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1 in HSC was measured by immunocytochemistry staining

and the expressions of Gremlin and BMP7 were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot

respectively. Result: Compared with the control group

the HSC proliferation was significantly inhibited (P<0.05)

the concentrations of Col Ⅰ

Col Ⅲ

α-SMA and the expression levels of TGF-β1 were decreased (P<0.01

P<0.05)

the mRNA and protein expressions of Gremlin were decreased (P<0.01)

and the mRNA and protein expression of BMP7 were elevated (P<0.01) in the low-and high-dose DSHX serum groups. The above results in DSHX serum groups were the same as the positive control serum group. Conclusion: DSHX has potential effect in treating hepatic fibrosis in rats. It could inhibit the proliferation and activation of HSC and reduce the synthesis of extra cellular matrix

which are partly achieved by down-regulating gremlin and up-regulating BMP7.