OBJECTIVETo investigate the common rule of hepatic energy metabolism on rats by six traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with hot property.

METHODThe activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca2(+)-ATPase and succinate hydrogenase (SDH), the content of hepatic glycogen and the mRNA expression of hepatic uncoupling protein2 (UCP2) were measured after the rats were administrated with water extracts of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, Pericarpium Zanthoxyli and Cortex Cinnamomi, Fructus Evodiae at the dose of 10.5, 8.4, 6.0, 4.0, 3.5, 4.2 g x kg(-1). respectively in 30 days, twice a day.

RESULTThe activity of Na+(-)K(+)-ATPase has been increased by the six TCM and the statistical significance has been observed in Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, Pericarpium Zanthoxyli, Fructus Evodiae groups. The raising tendency of Ca2(+)-ATPase activity has been observed by the six TCM and the statistical significance has been obtained in Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum group. The activity of SDH has been increaseded by six TCM while statistical significance has been observed except in five groups of the six groups except in Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata group. The content of hepatic glycogen has been decreased significantly by six TCM. No signiticant change of the mRNA expression of UCP2 has been found.

CONCLUSIONTCM has good effects on hepatic energy metabolism by raising the activity of mitochondria SDH to increase the production of ATP and by increasing the activity of Na(+)-K+)-ATPase, Ca2(+)-ATPase to increase the consumption of ATP.