Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the intervention effects of prunella vulgaris sulfated polysaccharide (PVSP) on carbon tetrachaloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rat. Methods The 40% CCl4 was used to induce hepatic fibrosis in rat model, then successful model rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 10 rats in each group, respectively, the model group (Model), the high dose PVSP group (PVSP-H: 400 mg/kg) and the low dose PVSP group (PVSP-L: 100 mg/kg). The blank group and solvent group were also established. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer. HE staining and Sirius red staining were used to examine the degree of hepatic fibrosis. The expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ (Col-Ⅰ) and α - smooth muscle actin (α- SMA) mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA in hepatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Results There were no significant changes in serum expressions of ALT and AST and mRNA proteins of Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA in liver tissues between the blank group and Solvent group. Compared with the model group, the serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly decreased in the PVSP-H and PVSP-L groups (P＜0.05). HE staining and Sirius red staining showed that PVSP could significantly reduce the degree of hepatic fibrosis. The expression of Col-Ⅰ and α-SMA mRNA were decreased in the PVSP-H and PVSP-L groups (P＜0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of Col - Ⅰ and α - SMA in hepatic tissues were decreased by PVSP (P＜0.05), and the effect was dose-dependent. Conclusion PVSP has a protective effect on CCl4 - induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may be related with the inhibiting expressions of Col-Ⅰand α-SMA, reducing secretion of collagen and promoting extracellular matrix degradation.

Key words: liver cirrhosis, disease models, animal, carbon tetrachloride, Prunella vulgaris sulfated polysaccharide