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The Therapeutic Effect of Shugan Xiehuo Formula in the Female Rat Model with Central Precocious Puberty
Weiping Yin1,2, Songmei Li3, Kun Zhang4
1Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China.
Insights
Shugan Xiehuo Formula (SXF) effectively treats central precocious puberty (CPP) in female rats by reducing organ size and inhibiting key hormone levels. This traditional Chinese medicine shows promise for clinical application in managing CPP.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Central precocious puberty (CPP) poses significant physical and mental health risks to children.
- Prompt and effective treatment is crucial for managing CPP.
- Investigating novel therapeutic agents for CPP is of clinical importance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Shugan Xiehuo Formula (SXF) in a female rat model of CPP.
- To assess the impact of SXF on reproductive organ development and hormonal profiles in CPP rats.
Main Methods:
- Established a female rat model of CPP.
- Treated rats with leuprolide and varying doses of SXF.
- Measured sex organ volumes and indices; performed histological analysis of ovaries and uteri.
- Quantified serum hormone levels (FSH, LH, PRL, E2) and gene/protein expression (GnRH, GnRHR, ERα, GPR30) in the hypothalamus, hypophysis, and ovaries using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- SXF significantly reduced the volumes and indices of ovaries, uterus, hypothalamus, and hypophysis in CPP rats.
- SXF inhibited follicle maturation and uterine wall thickening.
- SXF decreased serum concentrations of FSH, LH, PRL, and E2.
- SXF suppressed the expression of GnRH, GnRHR, ERα, and GPR30 in the hypophysis, GnRH in the hypothalamus, and GnRHR in the ovaries.
Conclusions:
- Shugan Xiehuo Formula (SXF) demonstrates significant therapeutic effects on central precocious puberty in female rats.
- SXF acts by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and associated hormone levels.
- The findings support the clinical potential of SXF for treating CPP.
Abstract:
Central precocious puberty (CPP) severely affects children's physical and mental health and needs to be treated promptly and effectively. This article aimed to research the therapeutic effect of Shugan Xiehuo Formula (SXF) on CPP. A female CPP rat model was established and then treated with leuprolide and different doses of SXF. Sex organ volume and index were measured. Ovaries and uteri were visualized by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and estradiol (E2) in peripheral blood were determined. The expression levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in the hypophysis were investigated by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR and western blot. GnRH expression in the hypothalamus and GnRHR expression in the ovary were detected by immunohistochemistry. SXF reduced the volume of the bilateral ovaries, as well as the volumes of the uterus, hypothalamus, and hypophysis in the female CPP rats and diminished the index of the ovary, uterus, hypothalamus, and hypophysis in the female CPP rats (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). SXF treatment inhibited follicle maturation and uterine wall thickening in the female CPP rats. SXF decreased the concentrations of FSH, LH, PRL, and E2 in the peripheral blood in the female CPP rats (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). SXF suppressed the expressions of GnRH, GnRHR, ERα, and GPR30 in the hypophysis (P < 0.05), the expression of GnRH in the hypothalamus (P < 0.01), and the expression of GnRHR in the ovaries (P < 0.001) of the female CPP rats. Overall, our study revealed that SXF had therapeutic effects on CPP in female rats. This is worthy of promoting clinically.
