AIM To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of the coordination of herbs in FZHY decoction concerned in chronic hepatic
diseases. METHODS FZHY
decoction was divided into five subgroups: Fuzheng, Huayu, Cordyceps, Salvia Mitiorihizae and Cordyceps plus Salvia Mitiorihizae groups. The normal rats were fed on FZHY decoction and subgroups, then the drug sera were collected from the rats, and incubated with subculture of
hepatic satellate cells (HSC) and primary cultured hepatocyte. A semi quantitative RT PCR method was used to evaluate type Ⅰ collagen mRNA expression, ELISA method was used to examine type Ⅰ collagen and albumin secretion, HSC proliferation and activation were observed by 3H TdR and 3H proline incorporation respectively. RESULTS Drug sera of all groups inhibited HSC proliferation, Huayu group had the best effect. All groups decreased protein secretion and its mRNA expression of type Ⅰ collagen in HSC, Fuzheng group had the best effects. FZHY decoction enhanced both hepatocyte and HSC protein synthesis, but the rest groups had no this action. CONCLUSION Fuzheng and Huayu herbs have the effects on chronic hepatic diseases respectively, but the combination of Fuzheng and Huayu herbs has comprehensive advantages over the diseases.