Study on antagonistic effect of Yiguanjian Decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats

Objective: To investigate the antagonistic effect of Yiguanjian Decoction on hepatic fibrosis in rats. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, colchicine group and Yiguanjian Decoction group. Except for the normal group, the other three groups were established as the model of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4). After modeling, Yiguanjian Decoction group and colchicine group were gavaged by corresponding drug, while the normal group and model group were treated with normal saline, once a day. After 4 weeks of treatment, the level of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in liver tissue were detected, and the liver fibrosis degree was evaluated by pathological staining. Results: Compared with the normal group, the liver fibrosis degree in model group was increased, the level of MMP-1 was decreased, the level of TIMP-1 was increased and the ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 was decreased(P0.05, P0.01). Compared with the model group, the liver fibrosis degree in colchicine group and Yiguanjian Decoction group were both decreased, the level of TIMP-1 was decreased(P0.05), the level of MMP-1 in colchicine group was decreased and in Yiguanjian Decoction group was increased. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 were both increased. Conclusion: Yiguanjian Decoction can antagonize the liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4, which may be related to its regulating effect on MMP-1/TIMP-1 in liver tissue.