Objective: To observe the effects of qu yu hua tan decoction on distribution and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)
in liver tissue of fibrosis rats by using
immunohistochemical technique and to made semi-quantitative analysis and study of its possible mechanisms. Methods: The
hepatic fibrosis rat's models were induced by subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl 4 oily solution. 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control group, Chinese medicine preventive group, model group, Chinese medicine test group, model spontaneous reversion group. It was detected that the distribution and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in liver tissue of every group rats by using immunohistochemical technique and its semi-quantitative analysis and scores were assessed. Results: Immunohistochemical stain showed the distribution and expression ofα-SMA in liver tissue was obviously less and the stains were markedly lighter in the chinese medicine preventive and the test group than that in the model and model spontaneous reversion group. There were all significant difference between the chinese medicine preventive and model groups, the chinese medicine test and model spontaneous reversion groups respectively in immunohistochemical semi-quantitative analysis and scores of α-SMA in liver tissue.Conclusion: The qu yu hua tan decoction has satisfactory effects on preventing and treating experimental liver fibrosis. The mechanisms of these effects could associate with its function of inhibiting the activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and collagen synthesis.