Effects of Xiaochaihutang on experimental endometriosis in rats

Aim: Effects of Xiao Chai Hu Tang(XCHT) on experimental endometiosis in female rats were evaluated. Methods: Measuring the ectopia endometrium volum and observing ultrastructural change by electron microscopy. Results: After the treatment with middle or high-concentraction (10、15 g/kg) XCHT, it could markedly inhibit endometrial explant growth (P0.01). However, low-concentraction XCHT (5 g/kg) indistinctively inhibit it (P0.05). The explant volume of control group did not markedly minish (P0.05). Meanwhile, the glandular cell in the endometrial explant after therapy with middle or high-concentraction XCHT showed characteristic features of apoptosis which displayed the cell decreased in size, karyopyknosis, cytoplasmic and nuclear chromatin condensation, density increased and a lot of apoptotic bodies among cell. Whereas some stromal cell displayed degeneration and necrosis.Conclusion:The results suggested that XCHT had effects of inhibiting ectopia endometrium by inducing cell death, including apoptosis and necrosis.