Moxibustion Reduces Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis Associated with Perimenopause in a Natural Aging Rat Model

In recent years, concerns about the adverse effects of hormone replacement therapy have increased interest in alternative therapies for the management of the symptoms of perimenopause. Here, we investigated the effects of moxibustion, a traditional Chinese practice that is involved in heated Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) stimulation, on hormonal imbalance and ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis in a rat model of perimenopause. Our results showed that mild warm moxibustion (MWM) modulated the circulating levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone and their receptors and inhibited apoptosis in the ovaries of perimenopausal rats, similar to the effect of estrogen. Further investigation revealed that the effects of MWM on ovary tissues and cultured GCs were mediated by the modulation of the activity of Forkhead box protein O1 and involved the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Our results provide information on the factors and pathways modulated by MWM and shed light on the mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of moxibustion on the symptoms of perimenopause.

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Astragalin, a Flavonoid from Morus alba (Mulberry) Increases Endogenous Estrogen and Progesterone by Inhibiting Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules21050675 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (5) ◽

pp. 675 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Min Wei ◽

Gail Mahady ◽

Daniel Liu ◽

Zhi Zheng ◽

Ye Lu

Keyword(s):

Granulosa Cell ◽

Rat Model ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Morus Alba ◽

Aged Rat ◽

Ovarian Granulosa Cell ◽

Endogenous Estrogen

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Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/2574637 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Yu Li ◽

Hong Ma ◽

Ye Lu ◽

B. J. Tan ◽

L. Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Granulosa Cell ◽

Rat Model ◽

Secretory Granules ◽

Female Rats ◽

Estradiol Valerate ◽

Intragastric Administration ◽

Aged Rat ◽

Ovarian Granulosa Cell

The effect of Menoprogen (MPG) on ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in an aged rat model of menopause. Intragastric administration of Menoprogen or estradiol valerate to 14-month-old senile female rats for eight weeks increased plasmaE2levels, as well as the weight of both ovarian and uterine tissues. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of isolated GCs from MPG-treated aged rats showed reductions in theG0/G1ratio and apoptotic peaks. Isolated GCs also exhibited an increase in cell size and the number of cytoplastic organelles and intracellular gap junctions, the reappearance of secretory granules, and a lack of apoptotic bodies as determined by TEM. Results from a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed a reduction in TUNEL-positive GCs after MPG treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a downregulation of proapoptotic Bax proteins and an upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. The addition of MPG-medicated serum to the media of cultured GCs also reduced cadmium chloride-induced apoptosis and downregulated caspase-3 protein expression. This work demonstrates that Menoprogen inhibits GC apoptosis in aged female rats and thereby increasesE2production. This represents a novel mechanism of action for this herbal medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

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Perimenopause Amelioration of a TCM Recipe Composed of Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Folium Epimedii: AnIn VivoStudy on Natural Aging Rat Model

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/747240 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ji-Yan Su ◽

Qing-Feng Xie ◽

Wei-Jin Liu ◽

Ping Lai ◽

Dan-Dan Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rat Model ◽

Lumbar Vertebrae ◽

Natural Aging ◽

Female Rats ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Radix Astragali ◽

Astragali Radix ◽

Radix Angelicae Sinensis ◽

Aging Rat ◽

Angelicae Sinensis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been extensively applied as preferable herbal remedy for menopausal symptoms. In the present work, the potential of a TCM recipe named RRF, composed of Radix Astragali, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Folium Epimedii, was investigated on a natural aging rat model. After administration of RRF (141, 282, and 564 mg/kg/d), the circulated estradiol (E2) level increased accompanied by a reduction of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). But no significant impact on serum lutenizing hormone (LH) level was observed. As a result of the E2-FSH-LH adjustment, the histomorphology degenerations of ovary, uterus, and vagina of the 11.5-month female rats were alleviated. And lumbar vertebrae trabecular microstructure was also restored under RRF exposure by means of increasing the trabecular area and area rate. Moreover, levels of hypothalamic dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) rallied significantly after RRF treatment. Results from our studies suggest that RRF possesses a positive regulation on the estrogen imbalance and neurotransmitter disorder, thereby restoring reproductive organ degeneration and skeleton deterioration. The above-mentioned benefits of RRF on the menopause syndromes recommend RRF as a potential candidate for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome.

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