Effect of matrine and crataegus mixture on connective tissue growth factor in unilateral ureteral obstruction rats

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of matrine and crataegus mixture on the renal interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats. Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups on average: sham group (A), model group (B), benapril group (C), small-dose matrine and crataegus mixture group (D), and large-dose matrine and Crataegus mixture group (D). The models were established by UUO of the left side. On the 14^th day after operation, the obstructed kidney was taken out. Then HE, Masson, and immunohistochemical staining of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen III (Col III) were conducted. After that, semiquantitative analysis was performed. Results: Matrine and crataegus mixture treatment can lessen the pathological lesion and reduce the levels of CTGF, α-SMA and Col III. Conclusion: Matrine and crataegus mixture may downregulate expressions of cytokines such as CTGF, and inhibit the activation of cell producing ECM and then the sendimentation of ECM, thus preventing renal interstitial fibrosis.