Objective: To observe the anti-fibrosis effects and mechanism of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus caulis extract (SCFCE) on liver fibrosis in rats caused by CCl4 and alcohol. Method: Totally 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group

model group

SCFCE high

medium and low dose (5.0

2.5

1.25 g · kg-1) groups. Liver fibrosis models were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4

drinking alcohol and feeding high fat diets. After modeling

the rats in treatment groups were received different concentrations of SCFCE by intragastric administration

while the rats in the normal group and model group received the same volume of normal saline. After the last administration

the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

laminin (LN)

hyaluronic acid (HA)

and procollagen Ⅲ (PC Ⅲ) were detected

and their hepatic tissues were taken for HE staining. The protein expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)

α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) were detected by Western blot assay. Result: As compared with the normal group

the levels of serum AST

ALT

HA

LN and PC Ⅲ were significantly elevated

and the protein expression levels of TGF-β1

and α-SMA in hepatic tissues were significantly increased in the model group. As compared with the model group

the levels of serum ALT

AST

HA

LN

PC Ⅲ were significantly decreased in SCFCE groups. Histopathological test results showed that SCFCE groups could significantly improve the heptic histological structure of rats

decrease the degree of liver fibrosis

and significantly reduce the protein expression levels of TGF-β1

α-SMA (P<0.01). Conclusion: SCFCE has obvious protective effects on CCl4 and alcohol-induced liver fibrosis in rats

and its mechanism may be related to decreasing the protein expression levels of TGF-β1

α-SMA

and inhibiting the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells.