Objective: To study the effect of Danshao Huaxian capsule (丹芍化纤胶囊, DSHX), a traditional Chinese medical prescription, on the expression of collagen (Col) Ⅰ , Ⅲ and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteases-3 (caspase-3) in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. And also it is to explore the mechanism of DSHX in anti-fibrosis. Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (A), the model group (B), the un-treated model group (C), the low-dose-DSHX treated group (D) and the high-dose-DSHX treated group (E). Except those in Group A, all the other rats were made into hepatic fibrotic models by comprehensive processes including subcutaneous injecting of CCl4, and feeding them with alcoholic high-fat and low-protein diet for 8 weeks. Then the two DSHX-treated groups were treated respectively with low dose (0.5 g/kg) and high dose (1.0 g/kg) DSHX capsule by gastrogavage everyday for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the liver index, levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum, degree of hepatic fibrosis, and urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured, and the expression of Col Ⅰ, Col Ⅲ and caspase-3 in liver tissues were detected respectively by immunohistochemistric technique. Results: Compared with those in Group B and C, the two DSHX treated groups showed that the liver index, levels of serum HA and ALT and severity of hepatic fibrosis were all significantly lower, the urinary excretion of Hyp was significantly higher; the Col Ⅰ and Col-Ⅲ expression was lower (Col Ⅰ :1. 23±1.14, 1. 07±0.96 vs 4. 18±2.26,3. 22±1.44, P＜0.01 ;Col Ⅲ :1. 31±0.69,, 1. 09±0.58 vs 3. 04±0.62,2. 23±0.58, P＜0.05). At the same time, the expression of caspase-3 in Group E was fewer than Group B and C in hepatocytes (3. 09±0.65 vs 9. 60±2.32,8. 82±1.45, P＜0.01), but it was extensively expressed in fibrous septal cells(4. 52±0.87 vs 1.69±0.23, 2.98 ± 0.36, P＜0.01 ). Conclusion:DSHX capsule shows certain therapeutic effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats, and the mechanism might be related with reducing Col Ⅰ and Col Ⅲ deposition, inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis and promoting fibrous septal cells (mainly the activated hepatic stellate cells) apoptosis.