[Effects of Xiaochaihu Tang, a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, on ectopic endometrium in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Xiaochaihu Tang (XCHT), a traditional Chinese medicinal preparation, on ectopic endometrium in rats. METHODS: In rat models of endometriosis, the effect of XCHT of ultrastructure of the ectopic endometrium was observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: After treatment with XCHT at moderate (500 g/L) or high dose (750 g/L), ectopic endometrial growth was significantly inhibited (P<0.01); small-dose XCHT (250 g/L) was less effective (P0.05). The glandular cells in the endometrial implant after therapy with moderate- or high-dose XCHT showed characteristic features of apoptosis, presented by decreased cell size, karyopyknosis, cytoplasm and nuclear chromatin condensation, increased density and presence of apoptotic bodies. Some stromal cells displayed degenerative and necrotic changes. CONCLUSION: XCHT may inhibit the growth of ectopic endometrium by inducing cell death in the form of apoptosis and necrosis.