Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid A(SAA) on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Methods The liver fibrosis rat model was made by subcutaneous injection of CCl₄. After 4 weeks, they were divided into model control group, high and low dose SAA groups, salvianolic acid (SA) capsule group, and normal control group. High and low dose groups were intravenously injected with 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg SAA, respectively. The SA capsule group was orally administered 50 mg/kg salvianolic acid powder. Model and normal control groups were intravenously injected with 10 ml/kg Saline.The serum AST and ALT levels, liver coefficient, hydroxyproline(Hyp) content, and type I, Ⅲ collagen expression in liver tissue were detected 8 weeks later. Results Compared with control group, the symptom in high and low doses SAA group and SA capsule group rat were significantly improved, liver coefficient ,ALT and AST activities, Hyp content and type I,III collagen expression were significantly reduced in high doses SAA group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusions Salvianolic acid A injection has anti-Liver fibrosis effects, and the effects with 5 mg/kg SAA injection by intravenous was superior to 50 mg/kg salvianolic acid capsule by oral administration.

Key words: CCl₄, Salvianolic acid A injection, Salvianolic acid capsule, Liver fibrosis, Rats