Objective: To observe the effects of Danggui Shaoyao San on alcoholic cirrhosis with portal hypertension ascites and to discuss its mechanism. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy patients were assigned to western medical treatment (control group) and western medical treatment plus Danggui Shaoyao San (treatment group) for 1 month. The changes of body weight

abdominal perimeter and amount of urine were observed before and after treatment. The data related to portal hypertension was examined using color doppler ultrasound. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels were measured via automatic biochemical analysis

plasma prothrombin time activity (PTA) level was measured via automatic coagulation analysis

endothelin-1 (ET-1) was measured via ELISA

svascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured via radioimmunoassay. Result: There was no significance difference for the baseline between two groups. Compared with control group

body weight

abdominal perimeter

amount of urine

data related to portal hypertension

liver function (TBIL

ALB) and coagulation function (PTA) were remarkably improved in treatment group (P<0.05). The levels of serum ET-1 and VEGF were significantly decreased in treatment group as compared with control group (P<0.05). However

there was no significance difference in serum ALT levels between two groups. Conclusion: Danggui Shaoyao San could significantly improve portal hypertension ascites

liver function and coagulation function in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis

and its mechanism may be related to declining the activity of ET-1 and VEGF.