Effects of Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction (益气活血解毒汤) on C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor and serum lipid in experimental rabbits with atherosclerosis

Objective: To observe the influence of Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction (益气活血解毒汤) on levels of serum lipid, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rabbits with atherosclerosis (AS) and investigate its mechanism. Methods: Twenty-four Japanese white rabbits with large ears were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, model group, Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction group and simvastain group (each n=6). The model of AS was established by feeding the fodder containing cholesterol,the drugs were administered along with the replication of the model in Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction group and simvastain group, and equal quantity of distilled water was administered via an intragastric route in the former two groups. After 10 weeks, the concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α of each group were measured. Results: Compared with the normal control group, the levels of TG, TC, HDL-C,CRP,IL-6 and TNF-α of model group increased in various degrees, while HDL-C decreased, the differences being significant (all P0.01). Compared with the model group, the concentrations of TG, TC, LDL-C, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α of Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction group and simvastain group decreased obviously, while HDL-C increased obviously, the differences being significant (all P0.01). But the results of the above two groups had no significant differences in comparison with those of the control group (all P0.05). Compared with the simvastain group, there was statistical significant difference of the increased level of HDL-C in Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction group (P0.05). Conclusion: Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction is a potential drug in treating and preventing atherosclerosis. Probably one of the mechanisms of Yiqihuoxuejiedu decoction depends mostly on regulating the serum lipid and decreasing the inflammatory factors, such as CRP,IL-6 and TNF-α.