ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the effect of a Chinese medicime, Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian capsule, on liver fibrosis induced by CCl_4 by observation of apoptosis and cell cycle variation in the liver cells. METHODS: Animal models were produced through eight-week treatment of the rats with CCl_4, alcohol and diet of high fat/low proteins, and then administration of Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian to the rats (1 g/kg) via stomach-tube-pouring for eight weeks was performed. Liver index, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (ALT) were measured and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in urine were determined. The extent of the liver fibrosis was observed under light microscope and apoptosis and cell cycle were also examined by cytometry between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the liver fibrosis group, the liver index, serum HA, ALT in the treatment group decreased, the development of liver fibrosis delayed, the urine Hyp and the number of apoptosed cells and the ratio of G_0/G_1 cells increased, as well as the S phase cells decreased, yet unable to return to normal. All those changes detected were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian is effective in treating the CCl_4-induced liver fibrosis in rats partly by virtue of inhibition of the growth of hepatic stellate cells and induction of apoptosis.