BACKGROUND: Hepatic fibrosis is the common pathological change in various chronic liver diseases，and its major cause is the imbalance between the production and degradation of  the extracellular matrix, which is mainly composed of collagens. Dan-Shao-Hua-Xian (DSHX) capsule, a traditional Chinese herbal compound, has shown marked preventive effects on hepatic fibrosis in rats in our previous studies. The present study was designed to further investigate its therapeutic actions on hepatic fibrosis in rats and its possible mechanisms.
METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, hepatic fibrosis group, non-DSHX-treated group, low-dose-treated group, and high-dose-treated group. The rat models of hepatic fibrosis were established by subcutaneous injecton of CCl4, drinking alcohol, giving diet of hyperliprosis and hypoprotein for 8 weeks. The two DSHX-treated groups were treated respectively with low dose (0.5 g/kg) and high dose (1.0 g/kg) of DSHX capsule p.o. everyday for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, liver indexes were calculated in each group in addition to the levels of the serum hyaluronic acid and alanine aminotransferase. Their degree of hepatic fibrosis and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and expression of collagen I, III were detected.
RESULTS: Comparison of the indexes of the hepatic fibrosis group and non-DSHX-treated group  revealed that the liver indexes, levels of serum hyaluronic acid and alanine aminotransferase,  and stage of hepatic fibrosis were all significantly reduced in the two DSHX treated groups. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was increased and the expression of collagen I and III in liver tissue was lessened. These alterations were more obviously observed in the high-dose-treated group.
CONCLUSION: DSHX capsule has certain therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats.