Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effect of centalla asiatica compound on the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin in mice kedney with the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).METHODS: Mice were randomly assigned to sham operation group(sham group) , UUO model group, centella asiatica compound treatment groupand ACEI treatment group.The protein expression of α-SMA and vimentin was assessed by immunohistochemistry andWestern-blotting;The mRNA was detected by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses (RT-PCR);And the change of renal pathology was observed at the same time.RESULTS: In comparison with the sham group, the mRNA expression and protein levels of α-SMA and vimentin in the UUO model groupand treatments groups increased significantly,in addition, compared with UUO model group, centella asiatica compound and ACEI treatments could significantly ameliorate renal interstitial fibrosis and reduce the expression of α-SMA and vimentin protein.The effects of centella asiatica compound on vimentin were more significant than ACEI.CONCLUSION: Centella asiatica compound could reduce the transdifferentiation of renal tubular epithelial cells or renal interstitial cells and prevent renal interstitial fibrosis.

Key words: renal interstitium fibrosis, cytoskeleton, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin