AIM: To identify the role of herbal compound 861 (Cpd 861) in the regulation of mRNA expression of collagen synthesis- and degradation-related genes in human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: mRNA levels of collagen types I and III, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) in cultured-activated HSCs treated with Cpd 861 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Both Cpd 861 and IFN-gamma reduced the mRNA levels of collagen type III, MMP-2 and TGF-beta 1. Moreover, Cpd 861 significantly enhanced the MMP-1 mRNA levels while down-regulated the TIMP-1 mRNA expression, increasing the ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 to (6.3 + 0.3)-fold compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The anti-fibrosis function of Cpd 861 may be mediated by both decreased interstitial collagen sythesis by inhibiting the transcription of collagen type M and TGF-beta 1 and increased degradation of these collagens by up-regulating MMP-1 and down-regulating TIMP-1 mRNA levels. (c) 2008 WJG. All rights reserved.