Objective: To investigate the effect of Xiaozhang recipe (XR) on liver fibrosis (LF) induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Method: LF model was induced by injecting CCl4 subcutaneously twice weekly for seven weeks and the rats were divided into the normal group

the model group

the colchicine group (1 mg·kg-1)

the low-

middle-and high-dose XR groups (200

400

800 mg·kg-1). All rats were intragastrically administrated with the corresponding medicines for seven weeks. The change of body weight and the index of liver and spleen were observed. Histological changes and collagen deposition were observed by HE and Sirius red staining sections. Serum samples were collected and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

hyaluronidase (HA)

laminin (LN)

Type Ⅲ procollagen (PCⅢ) were assayed. Liver tissues were harvested and hydroxyproline (Hyp)

superoxide dismutase (SOD)

glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were detected. Result: Compared with the normal group

the body weight decreased

the index of liver and spleen increased

serum levels of ALT

AST

HA

LN

PCⅢ and hepatic Hyp

MDA increased

hepatic SOD and GSH-Px decreased in the model group (P <0.01

P <0.05). Compared with the model group

serum levels of ALT

AST

HA

LN

PCⅢ and hepatic Hyp

MDA decreased

hepatic SOD and GSH-Px increased in the colchicine and XR groups (P <0.01

P <0.05). Histological detection showed serious necrosis

false lobule

inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the liver of model group and these pathological changes could be alleviated by colchicine and XR. Conclusion: XR has preventive and therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 by inhibiting hepatic lipid peroxidation and alleviating the inflammation.