Abstract: Abstract: Objective　To investigate the effect of Yinchenhao decoction on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage of hepatocytes by the regulation of bile acid metabolism in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods　A total of 54 SPF male adult SD rats were selected and divided into 3 groups randomly, including the sham operation group, the model group and the Yinchenhao decoction group. Three days after building the obstruction modeling, the model group was given a gavage of normal saline every day, while the Yinchenhao decoction group was given a gavage of Yinchenhao decoction. The observation time points of each group were the first, third, and eighth day after modeling. Six rats were killed at each rated point to detect the changes of total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bile acid (TBA) in blood, TBA in urine and urine volume. The relative amount of mtDNA in hepatocytes was detected by quantitative PCR. Results　The content of circulating blood bile acid decreased, and the urine volume and urine bile acid increased in rats treated with Yinchenhao Decoction (P＜0.05). The relative amount of mtDNA decreased in the mode group and Yinchenhao decoction group compared with that of the sham operation group. The  relative amount of mtDNA in the Yinchenhao decoction group increased on the 8th day compare with that on the 3rd day. Conclusion　Yinchenhao decoction can improve the function of hepatocytes by regulating bile acid metabolism through the liver-kidney axis to reduce liver cell mtDNA damage in rats with obstructive jaundice. 

Key words: cholestasis, jaundice, obstructive, bilirubin, bile acids and salts, DNA, mitochondrial, Yinchenhao Decoction, liver diseases