Abstract: Objective To investigate the potential role of Kezhi capsule on the hepatic expression of heme oxygeanse-1（HO-1）in mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis（NASH）. Methods Twenty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:mice fed with methionine-choline adequate diet were controls；The NASH model group were fed with MCD diet；The Kezhi capsule treatment group were fed with MCD diet for four weeks， then plus chitosan and the spontaneous recovery group were fed with methionine-choline adequate diet after four weeks MCD feeding. 8 weeks later，blood samples were collected for the detection of serum transaminases and leptin. The histological changes were observed under light microscope and HO-1 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Results Compared with those in MCD group，the hepatic pathological changes were ameliorated，and the hepatic expressions of HO-1 and serum leptin were decreased in Kezhi capsule group（P<0.05）. Conclusions Kezhi capsule can down-regulate the expressions of HO-1 and leptin，so it can attenuate hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation in mice with NASH.

Key words: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Heme oxygeanse-1, Leptin