Objective: To observe the protective effect of Qiqilian capsule on the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and explore the possible mechanisms. Method: Twelve-week-old SHRs were divided into the model group

the losartan group (4 mg·kg-1) and Qiqilian capsule high

middle and low dose groups (1.2

0.6

0.3 g·kg-1)

with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 healthy WKY rats were included in the normal group and given normal saline

ig. All of treatment groups were given corresponding drugs

ig

for consecutively six weeks. The blood pressure were measured by tail-cuff

and the method of ELISA was used to determine the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β)

interleukin-10 (IL-10) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Changes of cardiac hypertrophy parameters of SHRs were observed. Result: Compared with the normal group

the model group showed significant higher SHR blood pressure

serum TNF-α

IL-1β

hs-CRP

left ventricular hypertrophy index(LVH)

left ventricular weight(LVW)

right ventricular weight(RVW)

myocardial fiber diameter(MD) and lower IL-10 content (P<0.01). The Qiqilian capsule high

middle-and-low-dose groups showed significantly lower blood pressure of SHRs

TNF-α

IL-1β

hs-CRP

lower IL-10 content (P<0.01) and lower LVHI

LVW/RVW

MD in SHR rats (P<0.05

P<0.01). According to the pathological detection

the model group showed diffuse enlargement

deformity

large nucleus

hyperchromic effect in myocardial cells

mild edema and disorder arrangement in myocardial fibers arranged

and significant inflammatory cell infiltration;all treatment groups showed obvious mitigations. Conclusion: Qiqilian capsule has the protective effect against LVH in SHRs

and the mechanism may be related to inhibition of the expression of inflammatory cytokines.