The Macrolide medchemexpress insulin resistance index had been substantially lowered compared to MS rats. FTZ treatment also enhanced the activity of PI3K in adipose tissue compared to MS rats. Our study recommended that FTZ may well ameliorate insulin resistance and treat MS. This impact may possibly be related together with the compounds which it contained. It hasbeen reported that oleanolic acid (OA) in Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton decreased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and no cost fatty acids, elevated serum HDL and lowered hepatic lipid accumulation. Furthermore, inflammation in db/db mice was improved by OA, as evidenced by decreased levels of IL-1 , IL-6, and TNF- within the circulation and inside the liver. These results recommended that OA enhanced hepatic insulin resistance via inhibition of mitochondrial ROS, hypolipidemia and anti-inflammatory effects [23]. Ginsenoside Re in Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen decreased insulin resistance through activation of the PPAR- pathway by straight increasing the expression of PPAR-2 and its responsive genes, adiponectin, IRS-1 and ap2, inhibiting TNF- production and facilitating the translocation of GLUT4 to market glucose uptake and disposal in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [24]. Berberine in Coptis chinensis Franch. enhanced insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and also the recruitment of p85 to IRS-1. The ameliorated insulin signal transduction was associated with berberine-mediated inhibition of mTOR, which attenuated serine phosphorylation of IRS-1. These results suggested that berberine may well ameliorate insulin resistance by modulating important molecules inside the insulin signaling pathway, leading to improved glucose uptake in insulin-resistant cells [25]. As a result, we suspect that these ingredients may possibly clarify the role of FTZ in ameliorating insulin resistance.Conclusion In conclusion, our study indicated that FTZ could reduce serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose and boost serum HDL-C, thereby reactivating the insulin-stimulated IRS1/PI3K pathway in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and up-regulating PI3K expression in adipose tissue. For that reason, the beneficial effects of FTZ on insulin resistance recommend that this decoction may possibly be a promising therapeutic for MS and insulin resistance.Abbreviations FTZ: Fu Fang Zhen Zhu Tiao Zhi EGFR Antagonist site formula; MS: Metabolic syndrome; IR: Insulin resistance; IRS1: Insulin receptor substrate-1; PI3K: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; TG: Triglyceride; TC: Total cholesterol; HDL-C: HDL-cholesterol; FPG: Fasting plasma glucose; FPI: Fasting plasma insulin; HOMA-IR: Homeostasis model assessment- insulin resistance index. Competing interests The author(s) declare that they’ve no competing interests. Authors’ contributions Dr. J.Guo and Xuguang Hu designed the study. Man Wang carried out experiments. Bei WJ and Wang LY, participated within the design and style of study, interpretation of benefits, and drafted the manuscript. Mr. Shuyan Li, Zongyu Han, Xiuteng Zhou, Le Cao, Hu Yinming, Ms. Wei He, Junhui Peng and Duosheng Luo have took portion in the study projects. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.Hu et al. Journal of Translational Medicine 2014, 12:47 translational-medicine/content/12/1/Page 8 ofAcknowledgements This study was supported by grants in the Natural Sciences Funds, Republic of China (nos.81173626,2011), Guangdong Province-Chinese Education Ministry Industry, Education and Investigation Cooperation Project (no. 2011B090400379), Guangdong Province Natural Sciences Funds Rese.