Objective: To investigate the effect of Prunellae Spica sulfated polysaccharide (PSSP) on carbon tetrachaloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis and activation of HSC-T6 induced by transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1. Method: The liver fibrosis model was established through intraperitoneal injection with 40% CCl4.The rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal control group

model group

positive control group (colchicines

0.25 mg·kg-1)

and high and low-dose PSSP groups. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase(AST)

hyaluronic acid(HA)

laminin(LN)

procollagen-Ⅲ-peptide(PC-Ⅲ) and type Ⅳ collagen(C-Ⅳ) were examined in different groups. Moreover

htoxylin eosin(HE) staining and sinus red staining were used to examine the degree of hepatic fibrosis. HSC-T6 was cultured

and the proliferation of HSC-T6 was determined by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. The expressions of collagen type I (Col-I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA were detected by Real-time PCR. The mRNA and protein expressions of Col-I and α-SMA were measured by Western blot. Result: Compared with the model group

the levels of ALT

AST

HA

LN

PC-Ⅲ and C-Ⅳ were significantly decreased in the PSSP groups. HE staining and sinus red staining showed that PSSP could significantly reduce the degree of hepatic fibrosis. PSSP had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells(P<0.01). Compared with TGF-β1 group

mRNA and protein expressions of α-SMA and Col-I were significantly decreased by PSSP in TGF-β1-induced HSC-T6 cells(P<0.01). Conclusion: PSSP has a protective effect against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis possibly by reducing secretion of collagen and promoting extracellular matrix degradation.