Abstract:

Objective To explore the outcomes and mechanisms of YuShenYangXue decoction designed by Professor ZHU Nansun in the treatment of premature ovarian failure. Methods Ovarian antigen was prepared by ovarian tissues of 75 female Wistar rats with regular sexual cycle. Another 50 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=10) and model group (n=40). Rat models of premature ovarian failure were established by autogenous immunization in model group, and were subdivided into 4 groups (n=10): middle-dose traditional Chinese medicine group and high-dose traditional Chinese medicine group (administered with middle-dose and high-dose traditional Chinese medicine compound for 2 weeks respectively), western medicine control group (treated with diethylstilbestrol for 2 weeks) and model control group (managed with same amount of normal saline for 2 weeks). Besides, rats in normal group were served as blank control group, and were managed with same amount of normal saline for 2 weeks. Blood samples were obtained from abdominal aorta after treatment, and samples of ovarian tissues were harvested. Serum levels of estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by ELISA, the expression of ovarian inhibin B（InhB）protein was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the changes of wet weight and histology of ovary and uterus were observed. Results YuShenYangXue decoction increased serum E2 level and decreased serum FSH level in rats with premature ovarian failure. There were significant differences in serum E2 level between model control group and western medicine group (P<0.05), and serum FSH level in model control group was significantly different from those in western medicine group and high-dose traditional Chinese medicine group (P<0.05). Compared with model control group, the expression of ovarian InhB protein significantly increased (P<0.01), the lymphocyte infiltration in ovary decreased, the number of growing follicles increased, and the wet weight of uterine and ovary increased in western medicine group and middle-dose and high-dose traditional Chinese medicine groups. Conclusion YuShenYangXue decoction can promote follicle growth in rats with premature ovarian failure, increase secretion of ovarian E2 and InhB, and improve endocrine function of damaged ovaries.

Key words: YuShenYangXue decoction, premature ovarian failure, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, inhibin B