Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qiguiyishen decoction(QGYS) on the severity of nephropathy.METHODS: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups(Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ) according to the random number table. Group Ⅰ as control group did not establish nephropathy model. Groups Ⅱ,Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were intravenously administered Adriamycin(7.5 mg/kg) through the tail vein to establish nephropathy model. QGYS was prepared with the extracts of Huangqi(Radix Astragali Mongolici),Danggui(Radix Angelicae Sinensis),Niuxi(RadixAchyran-this Bidentatae), and Chuanxiong(Rhizoma Chuanxiong).Group Ⅳ was administered QGYS (2mL·kg-1·d-1), group Ⅲ was administered benazepril(10 mL·kg-1·d-1), and group Ⅰ, Ⅱ was administered water(2mL·kg-1·d-1)once daily for eight weeks.RESULTS: QGYS reduced the excretion of urinary protein and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase and alleviated the accumulation of extracellular matrix(ECM) in renal tissue. Additionally, QGYS effectively regulated the levels of transforming growth factor,tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, and matrixmetalloprote in asesin the kidney of the rats.CONCLUSION:QGYS may reduce the accumulation of ECM in the kidneys of rats with Adriamycin-induced nephropathy.

Key words: Qiguiyishen decoction, Extracellular matrix, Doxorubicin, Nephrosis