Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa on the thickness of dermis, synthesis of collagen type Ⅰ, type Ⅲ, and expression of transforming growth factor-β1 in mouse models of scleroderma. Methods Mouse models of scleroderma were established through local injection of bleomycin on the back once a day for 4 weeks. After confirmation of model establishment, 72 mouse models were equally and randomly divided into three groups. Two groups received topical treatment with ethanol extract of Capparis Spinosa and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa, respectively, no treatment was given to the rest of the control group. After 2-, 4-, 6-week treatment, 8 mice were sacrificed and tissue samples were obtained from the back, and subjected to the measurement of dermal thickness by HE staining, as well as to the analysis of expression of collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ and transforming growth factor-β1 by immunohistochemical staining. Results On week 2, 4, 6, the thickness of dermis was 23.22, 24.94, 19.97 μm respectively in mice treated with ethanol extract of Capparis Spinosa, 27.66, 26.15, 22.13 μm respectively in those treated with ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa. Compared with the mouse models without treatment, the thickness of dermis significantly decreased （F = 12.99, P < 0.01）, the expression of collagen type Ⅰ（F = 7.47, P < 0.01） and transforming growth factor-β1 （F = 11.76, P < 0.01） were also inhibited in those receiving treatment. However, the expression of collagen type Ⅲ was not affected obviously by the treatment. Conclusion The ethanol extract and ethyl acetate extract of Capparis Spinosa have the effect against skin fibrosis.

Key words: Capparis spinosa L, mouse scleroderma model, collagen type Ⅰ, collagen type Ⅲ, TGF-β1