The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of
Yinchenhao Decoction (YCHD), a
traditional Chinese medicine formulation, on C57BL/6 mice with lithogenic diet (LD)-induced
cholelithiasis. The condition of
cholelithiasis was evaluated using a six-level criteria. Levels of
alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total
cholesterol (TC),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL-C) in the serum and liver tissue were measured using
enzyme colorimetry. Concentrations of TC,
phospholipids (PL) and total
bile acids (TBA) in the bile were measured to calculate the
cholesterol saturation index. Liver histopathology was microscopically observed and
mRNA expression levels of ABCG5, ABCG8, SRBI, ABCB4, ABCB11 and NPC1L1 involved in
cholesterol metabolism were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The results showed that feeding mice the LD induced
cholelithiasis, along with abnormal serum biochemical indices and imbalances in biliary
cholesterol homeostasis. Increased ALT and ALP levels in the serum and ALT, ALP, TC and
LDL-C levels in the serum and liver indicated the existence of hepatocyte injury, which were consistent with the pathological changes. YCHD treatment ameliorated the serum and hepatic biochemical abnormalities and adjusted the biliary imbalance. In addition, elevated expression of
ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 5/8,
scavenger receptor class B type I and Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 in the liver and small intestine were observed at the onset of
cholelithiasis but were reversed by YCHD. Taken together, results from the present study suggest that YCHD ameliorated LD-induced
cholelithiasis mice, which may be caused by improvements in biliary
cholesterol supersaturation and regulation of
cholesterol metabolism.