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AIM: To study the reversing effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on established liver fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Following confirmation of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, GbE or saline was administrated to the rats for 4 weeks. The remaining rats received neither CCl4 nor GbE as normal control. The four groups were compared in terms of serum enzymes, tissue damage, expression of αSMA and tissue inhibitor-1 of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) and metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1).RESULTS: Compared with saline-treated group, liver fibrosis rats treated with GbE had decreased serum total bilirubin (P＜0.01) and aminotransferase levels (P＜0.01) and increased levels of serum albumin (P＜0.01). Microscopic studies revealed that the livers of rats receiving GbE showed allieviation in fibrosis (P＜0.05) as well as expression of αSMA (P＜0.01). The liver collagen and reticulum contents were lower in rats treated with GbE than saline-treated group (P＜0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the level of TIMP-1 decreased while the level of MMP-1 increased in GbE group.CONCLUSION: Administration of GbE improved CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. It is possibly attributed to its effect of inhibiting the expression of TIMP-1 and promoting the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells.