Ge-Gen Decoction attenuates oxytocin-induced uterine contraction and writhing response: potential application in primary dysmenorrhea therapy

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• 作者：Lu YANG^a ; ^b ; ^Δ ; Cheng-Zhi CHAI^a ; ^b ; ^Δ ; Xin-Yi YUE^a ; ^b ; Yan YAN^a ; ^b ; Jun-Ping KOU^a ; ^b ; Zheng-Yu CAO^a ; ^b ; ^{zycao1999@hotmail.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Bo-Yang YU^a ; ^b ; ^{boyangyu59@163.com" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author}
• 关键词：Primary dysmenorrheal ; Spasmolytic and analgesic effect ; Uterine contraction ; Uterine artery blood flow ; Ge-Gen Decoction
• 刊名：Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：February 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：14
• 期：2
• 页码：124-132
• 全文大小：1857 K

文摘

The uterine tetanic contraction and uterine artery blood flow reduction are possible reasons for primary dysmenorrhea (PD). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the uterine relaxant effect and the influence on uterine artery blood velocity of Ge-Gen Decoction (GGD), a well-known Chinese herbal formula. In female ICR mice, uterine contraction was induced by oxytocin exposure following estradiol benzoate pretreatment, and the uterine artery blood velocity was detected by Doppler ultrasound. Histopathological examination of the uterine tissue samples were performed by H&E staining. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that oxytocin, posterior pituitary, or acetylcholine induced contractions in isolated mouse uterus. GGD inhibited both spontaneous and stimulated contractions. In vivo study demonstrated that GGD significantly reduced oxytocin-induced writhing responses with a maximal inhibition of 87%. Further study demonstrated that GGD normalized oxytocin-induced abnormalities of prostaglandins F₂ alpha (PGF_2α) and Ca²⁺ in mice. In addition, injection of oxytocin induced a decrease in uterine artery blood flow velocity. Pretreatment with GGD reversed the oxytocin response on blood flow velocity. Histopathological examination showed pretreatment with GGD alleviated inflammation and edema in the uterus when compared with the model group. Both ex vivo and in vivo results indicated that GGD possessed a significant spasmolytic effect on uterine tetanic contraction as well as improvement on uterine artery blood velocity which may involve PGF_2α and Ca²⁺ signaling, suggesting that GGD may have a clinic potential in PD therapy.