Objective: To observe the preventive effect and action mechanism of Gansu granule on hepatic fibrosis rats induced by perchlormethane (CCl4). Method: The liver fibrosis model of rats was established by CCl4.Totally 72 male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups

namely normal control group(n=12)

model control group (n=12)

colchicine group (n=12

0.1 mg·kg-1)

and high

medium and low-dose Gansu granule groups (n=12

16.7

8.4

4.2 g·kg-1). Ten weeks later after drug administration

all of the rats were put to death. Blood was collected to detect liver indexes

such as alanine transaminase(AST)

aspartate aminotransferase(ALT)

total bilirubin(TBIL)

total protein(TP)

ALB

and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Besides

the liver

spleen and thymus gland were dissected and weighed. Liver hyaluronic acid (HA)

layer even protein (LN)

Matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (ELISA). Pathological histology observation by HE staining and Masson staining were performed for other liver tissues. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) expression in the hepatic tissue were measured by immunohistochemical method. Result: Compared with normal control group

model control group's rats serum ALT

AST

TBIL and ALP contents were significantly increased

PT significantly decreased (P<0.01)

liver tissue HA

LN

TIMP-1 levels were increased significantly (P<0.01)

with remarkable increase in liver

spleen coefficients (P<0.01) and decrease of thymus gland coefficient. The liver texture of model rats was harden

with formation of pseudolobule and increase in expressions of TGF-β

and α-SMA in the liver. Compared with model control group

serum ALT

AST

ALP

TBIL levels were significantly declined and globulin increased significantly in both colchicine group and Gansu granule groups (P<0.01)

and albumin level in low-dose Gansu granule group was obviously increased (P<0.05). For all of drug treating groups

the contents of HA and TIMP-1 in liver tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.01)

the degree of fibrosis were alleviated

and TGF-β1

α-SMA expressions in liver reduced. Conclusion: Gansu granule has an obvious anti-hepatic fibrosis effect

and can significantly improve the liver function and reduce the liver fibrosis for model rats. The action mechanism is correlated with reduction of liver cell damage and prevention of fibrosis.