Anti-hepatic fibrosis peptide from Carapax Trionycis was purified, characterized, and inhibitory effect was assessed. Carapax Trionycis extract peptide hydrolysates （CTEPHs） were separated by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-15 gel chromatography and RP-HPLC. One novel anti-hepatic fibrosis peptide （CTEPH-I： Asn-Pro-Asn-Pro-Thr） was obtained and identified. MTS assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were applied to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect of CTEPH-1 on activated hepatic stellate cells （HSCs） in vitro. CTEPH-1 efficiently inhibited activation and proliferation of cultured HSC-T6 cells via lowering the contents of collagen and TIMP- 1 except for matrix metalloproteinase- 1 （MMP- 1）. The purified peptide might be beneficial as functional food or potential drug for treatment of liver fibrogenesis.
