Influence of Fufang Ezhu San on MMP-2 and VEGF Expressions of Ectopic Endometrial Tissues of Endometriosis Rats

Objective To study the function and mechanism of Fufang Ezhu San (Compound powder of aromatic turmeric) on endometriosis (EM).Methods The EM models were established by self-endometrium transplantation with 60 Wistar rats.The succeeded endometriosis models were randomized into 5 groups.Fufang Ezhu San low-dosage group,middle-dosage group and high-dosage group was given Fufang Ezhu San 5.85g/(kg.d),11.7g/(kg.d),and 23.4g/(kg.d) respectively.Gestrinone of 0.05mg/ (kg.d) was given to the control group.The model control group and blank control group including 8 normal rats were given normal saline 1ml/100g.The intragastric feeding was performed once a day,for 28 days in succession.Expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the uterus and ectopic endometrial tissues of all groups were detected with immunohistochemical method.Results The expression of MMP-2 and VEGF in the ectopic endometrial tissues were higher than those in the uterus tissues (P0.05).Fufang Ezhu San could inhibit significantly the growth of ectopic endometrial tissues,diminish the volume of ectopic foci,and decrease the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner.Compared with the model control group,the difference was statistically significant (P0.05),and the effect was not significantly different as compared with that of gestrinone (P0.05).Conclusion Fufang Ezhu San is effective in inhibiting the expression of MMP-2 and VEGF and lowering the invasion of ectopic foci and ability of angiogenesis.This may be one of its mechanisms in treatment of endometriosis.