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Objectives S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is the most abundant compound in aged garlic extracts (AGEs). AGE has been reported to ameliorate the oxidative damage implicated in a variety of diseases. However, the effects of SAC have not been established in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to examine the survival and the effect of therapeutic administration of SAC in the established liver fibrosis by chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) administration in rats. Materials & Methods Male Wistar rats (4 weeks age) were used. Cirrhosis was induced by chronic CCl 4 (2 ml/kg, 25% in corn oil, twice a week) intraperitoneal administration. Four weeks after CCl 4 treatment, SAC or cysteine compounds (cysteine, N-acethyl cysteine) were given by mixed diets for 8 weeks (CCl 4 :total 12 weeks) or longer (survival rate). Results CCl 4 administration elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase, plasma lipid peroxidation, liver hydroxyproline, and liver transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta at 12 weeks. SAC markedly normalized these changes induced by CCl 4 than other cysteine compounds. Furthermore, SAC improved survival in a dose-dependent manner following consecutive CCl 4 administration. The inhibitory mechanisms may be associated with a decrease in the profibrogenic cytokine, TGF-beta as well as the antioxidative properties of SAC. Conclusion Therapeutic administration of SAC improved liver fibrosis developed by CCl 4 and survival rate. These findings suggest SAC is a beneficial candidate for therapeutic agents on the liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]