AIM:Xilei Powder,a traditional Chinese prescription,has been used to treat wounds for hundreds of years,but the mechanism has not been fully understood.METHODS:The effects of Xilei Powder on fibroblast proliferation,collagen accumulation,matrix metalloproteinases-2,9 ( MMP-2,9 ) activities and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) production were investigated by MTT,chloramine T method,gelatin zymography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays ( ELISA),respectively.RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Xilei Powder significantly promoted fibroblasts proliferation in a time and concentration manner,the population doubling time (125 μg/mL) was 33.8 h,it also significantly (P ＜0.05 ) promoted collagen production.Both of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts could significantly ( P ＜ 0.05 ) increase MMPo2 activity,and also very significantly ( P ＜ 0.01 )promote TIMP-1 production.CONCLUSION: Xilei Powder could promote fibroblasts proliferation,collagen and TIMP-1 production,this might be parts of mechanism to promote wound healing.