Abstract: AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of dihydromyricetin on experimental schistosoma japonicum hepatic fibrosis in mice. METHODS: 60 mice infected with schistosma japonicum cercariae percutanoeusly were divided into 3 groups: model group, praziquantel group, praziquantel plus dihydromyricetin group and other 20 normal mice were used as control group. After treatment with medicine for 8 weeks, the liver was removed and weighed. The contents of ALT and AST in serum were assayed using the corresponding kits. Moreover, the degree of hepatic fibrosis was observed Via HE and was scored. The expression of collagen I protein and collagen Ⅲ protein were measured by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: The mice that infected with schistosoma japonicum , had a featuring increment in liver weights, serum ALT, AST contents, the expression of collagen I protein,collagen Ⅲ protein(P<0.05). Praziquante treatment significantly reduced serum ALT, AST contents, the expression of collagen I protein, collagen Ⅲ protein (P<0.05). In addition the hepatic histopathology was improved in praziquantel plus dihydromyricetin group (P<0.05). The liver weights, serum ALT, AST contents in praziquantel plus dihydromyricetin group [(57.5±7.6) mg/g, (110±12) IU/L, (134±11) IU/L] were significantly lower(P<0.05) than those in praziquantel group [(50.5±5.2) mg/g, (87±13) IU/L, (110±11) IU/L]. The expression of collagen I protein,collagen Ⅲ protein in praziquantel plus dihydromyricetin group(0.1468±0.0232, 0.1305±0.0237) were significantly lower(P<0.01) than those in praziquantel group (0.2058±0.0216, 0.1768±0.0224). CONCLUSION: Dihydromyricetin has significant therapeutic effect on schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

Key words: Dihydromyricetin, Schistosomiasis, Hepatic fibrosis