OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Ganzhifu (GZF), a Chinese compound formula for Warming-yang on experimental hepatic fibrosis, and to explore its mechanism.

METHODSFifty-nine Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group and the model group. After the hepatic fibrosis model was established in rats by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 and feeding 10% alcohol in the model group, the rats were randomly sub-divided into the Ganzhifu group, colchicine group and model group, they were treated with Ganzhifu, colchicine and normal saline of same volume once a day respectively for 30 days as one treatment course. The serum liver function and hepatic fibrosis indexes, liver tissue contents of hydroxyproline (Hyp), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured at the end of the experiment. Histologic changes of liver tissue were observed and scored by the modified inflammatory activity and fibrosis semiquantative scoring system (SSS), and collagen type I , III and IV in liver tissue were stained and semiquantitive analysis conducted.

RESULTSIn the Ganzhifu group, liver function and inflammatory activity and fibrosis SSS scores were markedly improved, indexes of hepatic fibrosis, liver contents of Hyp, MDA and collagen type I, III and IV were significantly decreased, and the SOD activity was increased, the changes were more significant as compared with those in the model group. The protective effect of Ganzhifu against hepatic fibrosis was the same as that of colchicine.

CONCLUSIONGanzhifu can alleviate or reverse hepatic fibrosis in experimental hepatic fibrosis, and antioxidation may be its mechanism.