An Experimental Study on Xiaochaihu Decoction for Endometriosis in Rats

Objective To observe the effect of Xiaochaihu decoction(XCD) on experimental endometriosis in rats.Methods Rat models of endometriosis were established and the effect of XCD were evaluated by measuring the volume of ectopic endometrium (EE) and its ultrastructure with transmission electron microscopy.Results After treatment,moderate and high-dosage of XCD(10g/kg and 15g/kg respectively) could markedly inhibit endometrial explant growth and decrease the volume of EE(P 0.01).Low-dosage of XCD could also decrease the volume of EE(P 0.05),but the control group did not markedly decreased(P 0.05).Meanwhile,the glandular cells in the endometrium after treatment in the moderate and high-dosage groups showed characteristic features of apoptosis:cellular atrophy,condensation of cytoplasm and nuclear chromatin and increase of their density,occurrence of the intercellular apoptotic bodies as well as degeneration and necrosis of stromal cell.Conclusion XCD has obvious effects in inhibiting ectopic endometrium and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of cell death (including apoptosis and necrosis) by regulating the immune function.