Effects Of Zhenxiang Capsule On Endometriosis In Rats

ForewordEndometriosis (EMs) is the growth of endometrium outside of uterine cavity, whichoften confined to the pelvis involving the ovaries, the ligaments, cul-de-sac, and theuterovesical peritoneum. The prevalence of EMs approaches 10％-15％in reproductive-agewomen. It is the main cause of women algomenorrhea, pelvic pain, infertility, algopareunia.The pathogenesis of EMs still remains tmclear. There are many effective treatments forwomen with EMs, but all have limitation. Many gynecologists try to research thepathogenesis of EMs and find a more effective treatment.ObjectTo study the effect of Zhenxiang capsule on endometriosis in rats and its mechanism,in order to supply the basic research for clinical study.Methods1) The endometriosis model in rats was established with intact uterine tissues.2) Rats were randomly divided into five groups. Three groups were treated withdifferent dosage of Zhenxiang capsule respectively for four weeks. Nemestran and saline solution were given as positive and negative controls.3) The measurement of sizes of transplant tissues and the histopathologicalevaluation of the transplants was performed according the growth of the ectopic endometria.4) The expressions of ER, VEGF, and aromatase in ectopic endometria weredetected by immunohistochemistory.5) The expressions of VEGF, IL-6, TNF-αin sera and peritoneal fluid weredetected by ELISA.Results1) 89 model rats of endometriosis were successfully established.2) There was no statistic difference in the sizes of transplants between the treatedgroups and the negative control group (P＞0.05), however the multiplication of ectopicendometria was depressed in treated groups.3) There were no obvious change of the expression level of ER, VEGF, aromatasein ectopic endometria in each group determined by immunohistochemistry (P＞0.05).4) The expressions of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-αin either sera or peritoneal fluid ofeach group were not detected by ELISA.ConclusionThe endometriosis animal model has been successfully established, which can providean ideal model for further study of endometriosis including pathogenesis and treatment. Inour study, Zhenxiang capsule repressed the growth of ectopic endometria and cellproliferation, and resulted in degeneration and necrosis of transplanted endometrial tissues.Zhenxiang capsule is as effective as Nemestran on endometriosis in animal models. However the mechanism of Zhenxiang capsule against endometriosis remains to furtherstudy.