Effect of andrographolide in experimental endometriosis models

Objective:To determine the effect of andrographolide on sexual hormone and other changes in rat and mouse models of endometriosis.Methods:In this study,adenomyosis was induced by tamoxifen in ICR neonatal mice,and the mice were treated with andrographolide for 4 weeks.The response to thermal stimuli in hotplate tests was evaluated after the last andrographolide administration.Endometriosis was induced in rats by surgery of self-endometrium transplantation.Rats were then treated with andrographolide for 4 weeks.The levels of E2 and P were detected by radioimmunoassay.Results:In mice with experimental endometriosis,andrographolide and danazol efficaciously improved generalized hyperalgesia(P 0.05 or 0.01) 4 weeks after treatment.These drugs showed a tendency to reduce the myometrial infiltration;and mildly,but not significantly,decreased uterus and uterine coefficients compared with the model control.In rat endometriosis model,andrographolide at 30 mg·kg- 1 significantly reduced ectopic uterine volume(P 0.01),but estrogen and progesterone levels had no significant changes compared with model control.Conclusion:Andrographolide has a partial effect on endometriosis,especially relieving pain.