Abstract: AIM: To research the effect of safflower in renal intertistial fibrosis by GFR and renal biopsypathology with Sprague-Dnwley(SD) rat model.METHODS: All rats were distributed into 6 groups.GrouPA was normal control,grouPB received sham operation,grouPC was vehicle control,grouPD received vehicle,grouPE received safflower(10 g·kg^-1 body wt·d^-1),and grouPFreceived enalapril (12.5 mg·kg^-1 body wt·d^-1).Rats underwent reversible left renal vein obstruction for 6 d,after which the obstruction was relieved.Renal function was determined by measuring GFR with inulin clearances.Both renal tubular epithelial cells(RTECs) and fibronection deposition for renal interstitial fibrosis were identified by immunohistochemistry.The positive and negative areas of per slice was determined by a motic medical 6.0 graphical analytical system.Atrophic tubules were determined by measuring the tubule diameter.10 fields per slice were analyzed at×400 magnification.RESULTS:Return of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) was seen in grouPE and gouPF,which was significantly better than grouPD(P<0.05).Atrophic tubules and fibronection deposition were found except in grouPA and groupB,but grouPD was worse significantly than grouPE and grouPF(P<0.05).The proportionalit of positive areas of RTECs recovered more significantly in grouPE and grouPF than grouPD(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Safflowei can return renal function and postpone the development of chronic kidney disease by preventing renal interstitial fibrosis.

Key words: safflower, renal interstitial fibrosis, rat, renal failure