Abstract
Liver fibrosis was regarded as result of wound healing process in chronic liver injury. The á-smooth muscle actin (á-SMA) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) are several indicators for extracellular matrik (ECM) production which relate in fibrosis process. This study aims to determine the effect of Ganoderma applanatum crude polysaccharide (GACP) extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl <sub>4</sub> )-against á-smooth muscle actin and matrix metalloproteinase expressions. A total of 24 male mice strain BALB/C, 3-4 months were divided into 6 groups. control group (distilled water and olive oil), model group (distilled water and CCl <sub>4</sub> ), low G. applanatum crude polysaccharide group (G. applanatum extract at the dose of 25 mg/kg BW and CCl <sub>4</sub> ), middle G. applanatum crude polysaccharide group (G. applanatum extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w and CCl <sub>4</sub> ), high G. applanatum crude polysaccharide group (G. applanatum extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg BW and CCl <sub>4</sub> ) and silymarin group (silymarin 100 mg/kg BW and CCl <sub>4</sub> ). Expressions of á-SMA and MMP1 were examined by immunohistochemical methods. The observation of immunohistochemistry used an inverted microscope at 200× magnification. The results of the observation were analyzed using ImageJ software to measure the percentage of á-SMA and MMP1 expressions. All of the data were analyzed by GraphPad Prism Software. The results showed that G. applanatum extracts prevented a significant increase in á-SMA expression and decrease MMP1 expression (p < 0.05) in comparison with the model group. Therefore, G. applanatum extracts play as liver protector against chronic liver injury after successfully inhibit á-SMA expression and prevent reduction of MMP1 expression.