Abstract:Objective This study aimed to explore the effects of a Chinese medicine formula on regulating glucose, lipid and cytokines in ZDF rats by transforming Qi and eliminating turbidity. Methods ZDF (fa/fa) rats were randomly assigned into the diabetic group (DM, n=8) and the Chinese medicine-administrative group (TCM, n=8) according to the levels of glucose after feeding on high-fat diet. ZDF (fa/+) rats were used in the control group (NC, n=8). Qihuatongtiao, the typical formula that function by transforming Qi and eliminating turbidity, was then administrated to the rats in the TCM group for six weeks. Levels of blood glucose were monitored and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed in the last week. Rats’ serum was used for testing the levels of glucose (BG), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), free fatty acid (FFA) and insulin (FINS). Pathological changes of the pancreas were observed after staining by HE. Levels of cytokines were tested with Raybio cytokine arrays. Results The levels of BG, TG, TC, HDL, LDL, FFA, FINS and pro-inflammatory cytokines of rats in the DM group were significantly higher than those in the NC group, while the levels of them in the TCM group were significantly lower than those in the DM group. There were degranulated islets in the pancreas of rats in the DM group, while less degranulated islets in the TCM group. Conclusion Qihuatongtiao, the Chinese medicine formula function by transforming Qi and eliminating turbidity, regulated glucose and lipid, and alleviated inflammatory lesions in ZDF rats.