Combination use of ferulic acid, ligustrazine and tetrahydropalmatine inhibits the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue: a multi-target therapy for endometriosis rats

Qing Tang, Shang F, Fang-hong Shang, Fanghong Shang, Wang X, Xiaocui Wang, Yang Y, Yang Yang, Chen G, Gang Chen, Chen Y, Yi Chen, Jifen Zhang, Zhang J, Xiaoyu Xu
Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2014 · vol. 151(3) , pp. 1218–1225 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.12.047 · PMID:24389027 · W1977760069
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This study investigated the effects of ferulic acid, ligustrazine, and tetrahydropalmatine combination therapy on ectopic endometrial tissue growth in a rat model of endometriosis.

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Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ferulic acid (FA), ligustrazine (LZ) and tetrahydropalmatine (THP) are separately isolated from Chinese Angelica, Szechwan Lovage Rhizome and Rhizoma in the Jiawei-Foshou-San formula, a popular traditional Chinese medicine for irregular menses. It has been reported that the combination use of FA+LZ+THP has similar effect on endometriosis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study was to investigate the combination effects and mechanisms of FA+LZ+THP on endometriosis rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty endometriosis rats were intragastricly treated with FA+LZ+THP for 4 wk. The volume of ectopic endometrial tissue was measured to evaluate the effects. Then the changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and ERE pathway were indicated by the levels of E2, GnRH, FSH and LH, and the expressions of ER, HSP90 and COX-2, respectively. In addition, peritoneal macrophages of each rat were cultured in vitro and treated with (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum for 24h. The proliferation and phagocytosis abilities, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and the expression of IκBα were then measured for the changes of peritoneal macrophage activities. RESULTS: Combination use of FA+LZ+THP diminished the volume of the ectopic endometrial tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It also decreased the E2 level, suppressed the expression of GnRH, FSH and LH, and decreased the protein expression of ER, HSP90 and COX-2 (all P<0.05 or P<0.01). The phagocytosis ability of peritoneal macrophage was enhanced by (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum (P0.05). Moreover, IL-1β and TNF-α were downregulated (both P<0.05 or P<0.01) and IκBα was upregulated by the (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The combination use of FA, LZ and THP could inhibit the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue in endometriosis rats. It might be related to the down-regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the amelioration in ERE pathway and the improvement of peritoneal macrophage activities.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Berberine Alkaloids Coumaric Acids Endometriosis Pyrazines Animals Animals Berberine Alkaloids Berberine Alkaloids Choristoma Choristoma Choristoma Choristoma Coumaric Acids Coumaric Acids Drug Therapy, Combination Drug Therapy, Combination Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometrium

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References (34)

Cited by (19)

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