Danshen enhanced the estrogenic effects of Qing E formula in ovariectomized rats

Abstract

BackgroundMenopause is characterized by a decrease in life quality due to the appearance of uncomfortable symptoms. Nowadays, Understanding menopause-associated pathophysiology and developing new strategies to improve the treatment of menopausal-associated symptoms is an important issue. Our study was to evaluate the synergistic effects of Danshen (salvia miltiorrhiza bunge) and the phytoestrogenic effects of 3 modified Qing E formulas, to explore a better formula for menopausal disorders.Methods100 rats were randomized into 5 groups: Sham (Sham operation group), OVX (model group of ovariectomized rat), BDL (group with low concentration of Qing E Formula), BDH (group with high concentration of Qing E Formula) and BDD (group with high concentration of Qing E Formula Plus Danshen), receiving vehicle and extract of different modified Qing E formula respectively. The food intake, body weight, uterus weight, blood levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and cholesterol fractions were assessed. The mammary glands and uterus were morphologically analyzed. The bone density of tibias were measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Additionally, luciferase induction assays were performed in Hela cells with the mixtures derived from Qing E formula plus Danshen (BDD).ResultsQing E formula plus Danshen significantly increased the uterus wet weight, enhanced the thickness of uterine wall, endometrial epithelium and glandular epithelium, improved trabecular bone and total density evidently, reduced the levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and TG, possessed notable estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) agonist activity.ConclusionQing E formula plus Danshen exerted more evident estrogen-like effects, thus it has a potential therapeutic use to treat menopausal disorders.

The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study

“…Previous studies demonstrated that leonurine, an alkaloid present in Yi-Mu-Cao, had anti-fibrotic [ 28 ], anti-diabetic [ 29 ], anti-atherosclerotic [ 30 ], and heart protective effects [ 31 ] in murine models. Dan-Shen has been demonstrated to enhance the estrogenic effects in ovariectomized rats [ 32 ] and stimulate estrogen receptor to exert the effects of anti-oxidative stress [ 33 ], anti-inflammation [ 34 ] and anti-cancer [ 35 ]. Anti-depressive effect of Danshen has been also demonstrated in a rat model [ 36 ].…”

Compounds from Cynomorium songaricum with Estrogenic and Androgenic Activities Suppress the Oestrogen/Androgen‐Induced BPH Process

“…Phytoestrogens are a diverse group of natural compounds that have the abilities to act as estrogenic or/and antiestrogenic functions [ 32 ]. Studies have shown that lots of traditional medicines produce compounds that may mimic estrogenic effect and thus considered as typical phytoestrogens [ 7 , 33 , 34 ]. In our study, we first showed that several compounds from CS have phytoestrogenic activities ( Table 3 ) by increasing ER α translocation to nucleus, inducing ERE luciferase activity, and/or enhancing MCF-7 proliferation ( Figure 2 ), indicating that CS is such kind of traditional medicines that may participate in the estrogen signaling pathway and regulate the abnormal signaling involved in the estrogen-induced diseases.…”

Chinese herbal formulas for postmenopausal osteoporosis: A review of preclinical evidence on animal studies and molecular mechanism

“…38 QEF plus Danshen exerted more evident estrogen-like effects, as revealed by the increased uterus wet weight, the thickness of uterine wall, endometrial epithelium and glandular epithelium, improved trabecular bone and total density, and reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride. 39 QEF alleviated the aging process in a D-galactoseinduced aging mice model through modulating expression levels of the longevity-related genes in the hippocampus and enhancing the antioxidant system. 40 Molecular mechanism, in vitro data QEF could activate osteoclast apoptosis and inhibit bone loss through matrix metallopeptidase 3 (MMP3)-osteopontin (OPN)-P53 signaling pathway.…”