Objective: To evaluate the effect of Sarcandra glabra on radiation-induced lung injury of right thoracic irradiation of Bama minipigs. Method: Sixty miniature pigs were randomly divided into the control group

the radiotherapy group and the S. glabra group. The pigs except the control group received a single right thoracic irradiation under anesthesia. The pigs in the S. glabra group received S. glabra formula granule solution at 30 mg·kg-1 one week before radiotherapy

and the pigs in other groups received the same volume of normal saline..Five pigs were randomly selected and sacrificed from the three groups at week 4

8

12 and 24 post-irradiation. The collagen deposition was measured by Masson's trichrome and hydroxyproline detection. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)

matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were detected by Western Blot. The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were tested by Gelatin zymography. Result: At different weeks after irradiation

the protein expressions of TGF-β1

MMP-2 and MMP-9

hydroxyproline content and gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased in the radiotherapy group as compare to the control group (P <0.05). The protein expressions of TGF-β1

MMP-2 and MMP-9

hydroxyproline content and gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased in the S. glabra group as compared with the radiotherapy group (P <0.05). Conclusion: S. glabra could slow down the development of radiation pulmonary fibrosis and have radiological protection by reducing the protein of TGF-β1

MMP-2

MMP-9 and gelatinase activity.