Effects of Ruangan Huajian granules on mRNA expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue among C57 mice with hepatic fibrosis

The objective of this study is to observe the effects of Ruangan Huajian granules on the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and the mRNA expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue among C57 mice with hepatic fibrosis. Forty C57 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, Ruangan Huajian granule group, and colchicine group. The serum levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 and the mRNA expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in liver tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Comparison of continuous data between groups was made by analysis of variance. Ruangan Huajian granules can not only promote the production of MMPs, but also inhibit the production of TIMP-1, thus promoting extracellular matrix degradation, which may be one of the action mechanisms of Ruangan Huajian granules in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.