Effects of Yiguan decoction combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza on content of TGF-β1 and α-SMA in liver tissue among rats with chronic hepatic fibrosis

Objective: To investigate the action mechanism of Yiguan decoction combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Fifty male Sprague- Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into blank control group,model group,Yiguan decoction group,Salvia miltiorrhiza group,and Yiguan decoction plus Salvia miltiorrhiza group. All groups except the blank control group were given CCl4 to induce chronic liver injury and establish a rat model of hepatic fibrosis; meanwhile,medicines and distilled water( for blank control group) were given to the rats by gavage. Eight weeks later,the expression of transforming growth factor- β1( TGF- β1) and alpha- smooth muscle actin( α- SMA) in liver tissue was evaluated. Results: Compared with the model group,the Yiguan decoction group,Salvia miltiorrhiza group,and Yiguan decoction plus Salvia miltiorrhiza group had significantly increased expression of TGF- β1 and α- SMA in liver tissue( P 0. 05),and the Yiguan decoction plus Salvia miltiorrhiza group had significantly more improvements( P 0. 05). Conclusion: Yiguan decoction combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza have a synergistic effect in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis,and the action mechanism may involve inhibiting the expression of TGF- β1 and α- SMA in liver tissue.