[The effect of herbal compound 861 on mRNA levels of MMP-2 and its activities in experimental rats liver fibrosis].

Objective: To explore the effect of herbal compound 861 (Cpd 861) on MMP-2 expression and its enzymatic activities, and the antifibrotic mechanism of this herbal compound.
Methods: Forty five female rats were randomly divided into normal control (sham operation) group, common bile duct ligation (BDL) group and Cpd 861 therapeutic group. In the last group, daily gastric feeding of Cpd 861 (9 g/kg.bw) started on day 7 after BDL operation. At 49 days, all animals were sacrificed and mRNA expression of MMP-2 in liver tissue was evaluated by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. In addition, enzymatic activities of MMP-2 were analyzed by zymography.
Results: In comparison with model group, MMP-2 mRNA levels in Cpd 861 therapeutic group were significantly decreased. MMP-2 enzymatic activities were not detectable in normal group, slightly elevated in model group, higher in Cpd 861 therapeutic group.
Conclusions: Cpd 861 decreases the mRNA level of MMP-2, but transiently increases the enzymatic activities of MMP-2. The latter effect of Cpd 861 may be mediated by decreasing TIMPs, the inhibitors of MMPs, during resolution stage of fibrosis. This is probably one of the mechanisms whereby herbal Cpd 861 exerted its antifibrotic action in this kind of experimental liver fibrosis.