To study the performance and mechanism of Paeoniae Radix Alba polysaccharides(PRAP) in treating the rat model of chemical-induced liver injury with the syndrome of liver yin deficiency.Methods:Forty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing(200±20) g were randomly assigned into a blank control group,a model group,a positive drug group,and a PRAP group.The rats in the other groups except the blank control group were intraperitoneally injected with 20% CCl4 olive oil solution,and later treated with a Chinese herbal compound prescription composed of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata,Zingiberis Rhizoma,and Cinnamomi Cortex for 6 weeks.After 6 weeks,the rats were observed for irritability,hair gloss,urine color,and stool color and texture,and the body weight and rectal temperature were measured.The levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase(GOT),type IV collagen(CIV),laminin(LN),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed for the pathological examination of the liver tissue.The mRNA levels of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(AKT) were determined.Results:Compared with the model group,PRAP moistened the stool dryness(P<0.05),lowered the serum levels of GPT,GOT,CIV,and LN(P<0.05),decreased the content of MDA(P<0.05),increased the activity of GSH-Px(P<0.05),and alleviated the pathological damage.Moreover,it lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6(P<0.05) and down-regulated the mRNA levels of PI3K and AKT(P<0.05).Conclusion:PRAP may protect rat from the chemical-induced liver injury with the syndrome of liver yin deficiency by alleviating fibrosis,mitigating oxidative stress,and regulating cytokine levels.