Experimental studies of Fuyuan Yugan capsule (复元愈肝胶囊) for antihepatic fibrosis in rats

Objective: To study the effect of Fuyuan Yugan capsule(FYYG,复元愈肝胶囊) on experimental hepatic fibrosis in rats.Methods: Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group(A group,n=10),model group(B group,n=12),colchicine group(C group,n=12) and high,middle,low dose of FYYG group(D,E,F group,each n=12).Hepatic fibrosis model of rat was reproduced by complex factors including carbon tetrachloride(CCl4),high lipids,high cholesterol and low protein in all groups except A group.Two ml normal saline were given to rats in A and B group,while colchicine(0.1 mg/kg) or FYYG capsule(9,4.5 and 2.25 g/kg) were given to the rats in C,D,E and F group,respectively.The indexes of serum hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LM),precollagen Ⅲ(PCⅢ) and the expression of hydroxyproline(HYP) in liver tissues were assayed at the end of the 6 th week.Pathological changes of liver tissues were observed to decide proliferation degree of collagenous fibers.Results: The levels of serum HA,LM,PCⅢ and HYP of B group were significantly higher than those of other groups(all P0.01). Compared with C group,the levels of HA,LM and PCⅢ of D group were significantly lower(P0.05 and P0.01),and significantly lower than those of F group(P0.05 and P0.01).The levels of serum PCⅢ of D,E and F group were significantly lower than those of C group.There were no significant differences in three groups(all P0.05).In C,D,E and F group,the liver pathological changes were improved,and the collagenous fiber proliferation was inhibited.Conclusion: FYYG capsule shows definitely protective and therapeutic effect on experimental hepatic fibrosis especially in high dose.