Objective: To investigate the protective effects of ethyl acetate extract of Alysicarpus vaginalis DC on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Method: The 90 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group

model group

Colchicine group(0.2 mg·kg-1)

high-

mid-

and low-dose(the equivalent crude drug dosage were 40

20

10 g·kg-1) ethyl acetate extract of A. vaginalis groups. Except the normal group

mice in other groups received CCl4

once every 3 d for continuous 8 weeks to establish hepatic fibrosis models.The mice were also treated by the corresponding drug once everyday for 8 weeks through intragastric administration.At the end of week 8

levels of ALT

AST in serum and the content of MDA

Hyp

Col Ⅰ

Col Ⅲ

Col Ⅳ

TGF-β1

and PDGF were detected. HE staining in liver tissues and MASSON pathological sections were done to observe and evaluate the sections. Result: Compared with the normal group

ALT and AST in serum and the content of MDA

Hyp

Col Ⅰ

Col Ⅲ

Col Ⅳ

TGF-β1

and PDGF in liver tissues were significantly higher in model group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and liver tissue inflammation

necrosis

hepatic collagen were increased. Compared with the model group

the ethyl acetate extract of A. vaginalis decreased ALT and AST in serum and the content of MDA

Hyp

Col Ⅰ

Col Ⅲ

Col Ⅳ

TGF-β1

and PDGF in liver tissues in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis mice(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of A. vaginalis has protective effect on CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice.