Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To study the anti-hepatofibrotic effect of the Achillea millefolium L.(Aml) extract on experimental hepatic fibrosis and its partial mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hepatic fibrosis rat model was developed by subcutaneous injection of 40％CCl 4 (5 ml/kg) and rats were treated with extract of Aml at 3 ml/kg, 6 ml/kg or 12 ml/kg. Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels were measured and liver tissue examined for pathological changes after HE staining. RESULTS: The extract of Aml could reduce the abnormally high levels of ALT and AST. Examined by light microscope，the degeneration and necrosis level of hepatocytes and the distribution of collagen fibrosis were markedly increased in the model group. The pathological changes and the c ollagen fibrosis associated with hepatic fibrosis decreased significantly in the prophylactically treated groups. CONCLUSION: Extract of Aml could protect hepatocytes from injury and prevent the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Key words: Achillea millefolium L., hepatic fibrosis, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase