Abstract:ObjectiveTo observe the influence of Xiangwei combined decoction on plasma endotoxin level in cirrhotic rats,and to investigate the mechanism of Xiangwei combined decoction in reducing plasma endotoxin. Methods Eighty-five Wistar rats were randomly selected,10 as normal group,10 as Xiangwei combined prevention group (prevention group),10 as lactulose prevention group (pre-control group),and 55 as pure model group.The model of liver cirrhosis was established by carbon tetrachloride combined factors.During the modeling period,the preventive group was given 6.875 g·kg^-1·d^-1Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction and 7.188 g·kg^-1·d^-1 Weiling decoction alternately every other day;the pre-treated group was given 2.083 g·kg^-1·d^-1 lactulose oral solution once a day;the normal group and the pure model group were given 1 ml/100 g normal saline once a day.The model lasted for 8 weeks.Nineteen rats died during the process of establishing the model.After successful modeling,there were 8 rats in the normal group,9 in the prevention group and 8 in the pre-pair group,and the 41 rats in the pure model group were randomly divided into the model group (n=9),Xiangwei combined prescription group (Xiangwei group,n=8),Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction group (Xiangsha group,n=8),Weiling decoction group (Weiling group,n=8),and the lactulose control group (treatment-control group,n=8).The prevention group and the pre-control group continued to be given corresponding medicines;the normal group and the model group continued to be given the same amount of saline;the Xiangwei group was given Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction 6.875 g·kg^-1·d^-1,Weiling decoction 7.188 g·kg^-1·d^-1 alternately every other day;the Xiangsha group was given Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction 6.875 g·kg^-1·d^-1,once a day;the Weiling group was given Weiling decoction 7.188 g·kg^-1·d^-1,once a day.The treatment-control group was given lactulose oral solution 2.083 g·kg^-1·d^-1 by gastric perfusion once a day. After 12 weeks, the levels of plasma endotoxin, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), D-lactic acid and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and Occludin mRNA in small intestine tissues were observed, and the pathological features of small intestine tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Result The levels of plasma endotoxin,serum D-lactic acid and IFABP in normal group,prevention group,pre-control group,Xiangwei group,Xiangsha group/Weiling group,treatment-control group and model group increased in order,and there were significant differences between the other two groups,except that there was no significant difference between Weiling group and Xiangsha group (P>0.05).The levels of sIgA and Occludin in small intestine tissues were decreased in the order of normal group,prevention group,pre-control group,Xiangwei group,Weiling group,Xiangsha group,treatment-control group and model group,and there were significant differences between the other two groups,except that there was no significant difference between Weiling group and Xiangsha group (P>0.05). Conclusion Xiangwei combined decoction can reduce the level of serum D-lactic acid and small intestinal IFABP,reduce intestinal mucosal permeability,increase the expression of tight junction Occludin protein,and increase the secretion level of sIgA in cirrhotic rats,thereby reducing the level of plasma endotoxin in cirrhotic rats.