The insulin resistance index had been significantly decreased in comparison to MS rats. FTZ therapy also enhanced the activity of PI3K in adipose CDK2 Purity & Documentation tissue in comparison to MS rats. Our study suggested that FTZ might ameliorate insulin resistance and treat MS. This effect could be associated 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 totally free fatty acids, elevated serum HDL and decreased hepatic lipid accumulation. Moreover, inflammation in db/db mice was enhanced by OA, as evidenced by decreased levels of IL-1 , IL-6, and TNF- in the circulation and inside the liver. These final results suggested that OA improved hepatic insulin resistance through inhibition of mitochondrial ROS, hypolipidemia and anti-inflammatory effects [23]. Ginsenoside Re in Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen reduced insulin resistance by way of activation on 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 promote glucose uptake and disposal in 3T3-L1 adipocytes [24]. Berberine in Coptis chinensis Franch. improved insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 plus the recruitment of p85 to IRS-1. The ameliorated insulin signal transduction was related to berberine-mediated inhibition of mTOR, which attenuated serine phosphorylation of IRS-1. These benefits recommended that berberine may well ameliorate insulin resistance by modulating key molecules within the insulin signaling pathway, leading to increased glucose uptake in insulin-resistant cells [25]. Thus, we suspect that these ingredients may well explain the part 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 increase serum HDL-C, thereby reactivating the insulin-stimulated IRS1/PI3K pathway in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and up-regulating PI3K expression in adipose tissue. As a result, the effective effects of FTZ on insulin resistance recommend that this decoction may well be a promising therapeutic for MS and insulin resistance.Abbreviations FTZ: Fu Fang Zhen Zhu Tiao Zhi 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 developed the study. Man Wang carried out experiments. Bei WJ and Wang LY, participated within the design and style of study, interpretation of final results, 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 aspect within the study projects. All authors have study and authorized 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 Organic Sciences Funds, Republic of China (nos.81173626,2011), Guangdong Province-Chinese Education Ministry Industry, Education and Ack1 Storage & Stability Investigation Cooperation Project (no. 2011B090400379), Guangdong Province All-natural Sciences Funds Rese.