关键词: 肝纤维化, 茵陈蒿汤, Caspase-12, Smad2

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Yinchenhao Decoction on Caspase-12 Pathway and TIMP-1 and Smad2 in Rats with Hepatic Fibrosis. Method Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, control group, model group and Yinchenhaotang group. The LF model was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl(. The Yinchenhao decoction group was intragastrically administered with Yinchenhao soup for 8 weeks. The general situation of rats in each group was compared after 8 weeks. Liver tissue morphology and fibrosis were observed by HE staining and Masson staining, respectively. Protein and mRNA levels were determined using Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. Result Rats in the model group developed significant liverdamageand fibrosis.Theresultofblood biochemistryshowed thatthelevelsofALTand ASTin themodel group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0. 05 ) . The levels of ALT and AST after the intervention of Yinchenhaotang, decoction were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0. 05 ) . Liver injury and fibrosis in the Yinchenhaotang group were significantly alleviated. GRP78, eIF2& and Caspase-12 were significantly increased in the liver tissue of the model group at 8 weeks after modeling (P<0. 01 ) . GRP78, eIF2a and Caspase-12 in Yinchenhaotang group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P<0.01 ) . The mRNA and protein levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, TIMP-1 and Smad2 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0. 01 ) , but the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen I, Collagen III, TIMP-1 and Smad2 in Yinchenhao Decoction group were significantly lowerthan those in the modelgroup (P<0.01) . Conclusion Yinchenhao Decoction can significantly alleviate the fibrosis of rat liver tissue, which maybe related to the inhibition ofCaspase-12 pathway and the expression ofSmad2 gene in anti-fibrosis and anti-apoptosis.

Key words: liver fibrosis, Yinchenhao Decoction , Caspase-12 , Smad2