Effects of Zhenxiang capsule on transplanted endometrial tissue of endometriosis in rats

[Objective] To investigate the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Zhenxiang capsule in endometriosis model rats. [Method] 95 sexual mature female SD rats were used in this study. The rat endometriosis model was produced by autotransplantation with uterine tissues. 4 weeks after the autotransplantation, rats were divided randomly into five groups and treated with different dosages of Zhenxiang capsule (0.324 g/kg, 0.678 g/kg, and 1.296 g/kg) through intragastric administration every day for the four consecutive weeks. Nemestran and saline solution were taken as positive and negative controls, respectively. [Result] After 4 weeks treatment, the size of the autotransplants of treated groups was not significantly reduced compared with the control group. However, histopathological examination showed that the growth and cell proliferation of endometrium were marked repressed, or degeneration and necrosis occurred in most of the cases treated with Zhenxiang capsule as well as with Nemestran. Moreover, most of the transplanted tissues of treated groups were short of blood supply. Semiqantitative analysis of endometrium showed statistically significantly lower scores in rats treated with Zhenxiang capsule and Nemestran compared with controls. There was not significant differences among groups with different dosages of Zhenxiang capsule and Nemestran. [Conclusion] Zhenxiang capsule causes repression of ectopic endometrial growth and cell proliferation, and degeneration and necrosis of transplanted endometrial tissues. Zhenxiang capsule is as effective as Nemestran to endometriosis in model rats.