OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different assemblages formed by components of Shengmai Powder (SMP) on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in liver of thermal injured rat to find the optimal ratio of assembling for GR regulation.

METHODSWith a orthogonal design adopted, the dosage of each component of SMP, including the total saponins of Ginseng (G), the water extract of lilyturf root (L), and the water extract of schisandra fruit (S), was ranked in three levels, namely, no participating, low dosage (G 7.1 mg, L 17.2 mg, S 9.6 mg), high dosage (G 14.2 mg, L 34.4 mg, S 19.2 mg). The components were assigned by L9(3(4)) orthogonal table and grouped, the best assembling ratio was determined through direct and variance analysis.

RESULTSAfter being acted by the different assemblages, the maximum binding volume of GR in rat's liver cell suspension was 161 +/- 26 fmol/mg protein in group 1, 271 +/- 40 fmol/mg protein in group 2, 166 66 fmol/mg protein in group 3, 222 +/- 45 fmol/mg protein in group 4, 192 +/- 26 fmol/mg protein in group 5, 194 +/- 23 fmol/mg protein in group 6, 166 +/- 15 fmol/mg protein in group 7, 165 +/- 47 fmol/mg protein in group 8 and 211 +/- 79 fmol/mg protein in group 9. The optimal GR level appeared during the dosage of G, L and S was 7.1 mg, 17.2 mg and 19.2 mg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe best assembling ratio of SMP for regulating GR in the liver of thermal injured rat was G:L:S = 3:3:4.