To investigate the effects and mechanism of Shenluotong（ decoction to free the kidney vessels） on renal interstitial fibrosis. Methods Totally 48 female Wistar rats were randomized into the sham opera- tion group

model group

eplerenone group and Shenluotong group

with 12 in each. The renal interstitial fibrosis models were established by ligation of the left ureter in all groups except the sham operation group after one week of adaptive feeding. The rats in the eplerenone group and Shenluotong group were gavaged with 100 mg / kg eplerenone and 26 g / kg Shenluotong respectively for 10 days. The rats in the sham operation group and model group were gavaged with the same volume of normal saline. The morphological changes and the levels of serum aldosterone

tumor necrosis factor-α（ TNF-α）

induced nitric oxide synthase（ iNOS）

interleukin 1β（ IL-1β）

serum glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1（ SGK-1） mRNA and serum glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 SGK-1 were observed. Results Comparing with the sham operation group

renal pathology showed a significant increment of collagen deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration

the levels of serum aldosterone

TNF-α

iNOS and IL-1β（ P < 0. 01 or P < 0. 05） and the expressions of SGK-1 mRNA and SGK-1（ P < 0. 01） were significantly increased in the model group. Comparing with the model group

the renal collagen deposition

inflammatory cell infiltration

the levels of TNF-α

iNOS and IL-1β（ P < 0. 01 or P < 0. 05） and the expressions of SGK-1 mRNA and SGK-1（ P < 0. 01） were significantly decreased in the Shenluotong group and eplerenone group（ P < 0. 01） and the serum aldosterone level was significantly decreased in the Shenluotong group as well（ P < 0. 01）. Conclusion Shenluotong can delay the process of renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy

which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of aldosterone by blocking SGK-1 signal and reducing inflammatory injury and the expression of inflammatory mediators.