Primary study on mechanism of treating endometriosis with Zhenxiang capsule

[Objective] To explore the mechanism of treating endometriosis with Zhenxiang capsule. [Methods] Rat endometriosis models were produced by autotransplantation with uterine tissues. 4 weeks after the autotransplantation, rats were divided randomly into three groups. One was treated with Zhenxiang capsule through intragastric administration every day for the four consecutive weeks. Nemestran and saline solution were taken as positive and negative controls respectively. The expressions of estrogen receptor (ER)-α, ER-β, vascular endometrial growth factor (VEGF), and aromatase in autotransplants were detected through immunohistochemistry. ELISA was performed to detect VEGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the sera and peritoneal fluid. [Result] The growth of autotransplants and cell proliferation were repressed in the group treated with Zhenxiang capsule, which is as effective as Nemestran. There were no significant changes in the expressions of ER, VEGF, and aromatase in autotransplants among all groups (P 0.05). The expressions of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α in neither sera nor peritoneal fluid of each group were detected. [Conclusion] Zhenxiang capsule may not affect the expression of ER, VEGF, and aromatase in the autotransplants, neither the levels of the cytokines detected in the sera or peritoneal fluid of rats. However, the mechanism remains uncertain.