Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Formulae（ ZGJTTMF）（ 左归降糖通脉方） in the treatment of diabetic vascular complications. Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into the blank group

the Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group

with 10 rats in each group. The Chinese medicine group was intragastrically given ZGJTTMF 36 g/（ kg ·d）

and the western medicine group was given nimodipine tablets 18. 35 mg/（ kg·d） and gliclazide sustained-release tablets 27. 5 mg/（ kg·d） by gavage. The blank group was intragastrically administered with 4 ml of distilled water. Rats were all given once a day for 5 consecutive days to prepare the drug-containing serum. The advanced glycation end products（ AGEs） were set to four concentrations of 50

100

200

and 400 mg/L for 12

24

and 48 h. Effects of AGEs on morphological structural changes of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells（ BMECs） were observed to screen for optimal intervention concentrations and times. The drug-containing serum of ZGJTTMF was divided into three concentration groups of2. 5%

5% and 10%. After 24 hours of action on BMECs

the proliferation rate of BMECs was measured to determine the optimal action concentration of serum containing the drug of ZGJTTMF. The BMECs were divided into the blank group

the model group

the Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group. The Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group were respectively added with corresponding drug-containing serum for intervention. The contents of interleukin-1β（ IL-1β）

intercellular adhesion molecule 1（ ICAM-1） and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1（ VCAM-1） in the supernatant of each group were detected. Results The optimal concentration and time point of AGEs was 200 mg/L for 24 h

and the optimal concentration of Chinese medicine containing serum was 5%. Compared with the blank group

the contents of IL-1β

ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the supernatant of the model group were significantly increased（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with the model group

IL-1β

ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the Chinese medicine group and the western medicine group were significantly down-regulated（ P < 0. 05）.Conclusion ZGJTTMF can down-regulate the expression of IL-1β

ICAM-1 and VCAM-1

thus inhibiting the inflammatory response

which may be one of the mechanisms of its treatment of diabetic vascular complications.