Abstract: AIM: To observe the protective effects of Xiaochaihu Decoction (XCHD) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis (HF) in mice. METHODS: HF was induced in male mice by 20% CCl4 twice a week for 12 weeks. XCHD (3.90, 7.80, 15.60 g/kg) and Silybin (0.1 g/kg) were administrated via gavage once a day starting from the CCl4 treatment for subsequent 12 weeks. Then, the levels ALT and AST in serum were assayed, liver samples were taken to examine the degree of HF by HE, Masson, Sirius Red staining and Electron microscope. Moreover, the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ι were determined by RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot. RESULTS: The data demonstrated that XCHD (7.80, 15.60 g/kg) effectively reduced histopathological changes, such as steatosis, collagen deposition; meanwhile the histopathological analysis suggested that XCHD obviously alleviated the degree of HF. Furthermore, XCHD significantly reduced the levels of ALT, AST (P<0.05), and attenuated the expressions of α-SMA, Collagen Ι both of protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: XCHD has protective effect on chemical HF in mice.

Key words: Xiaochaihu Decoction, hepatic fibrosis, carbon tetrachloride, mice