Abstract
Zuo Gui Wan (ZGW) and You Gui Wan (YGW) are two classic formulas used in clinical treatment of infertility in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the actions of the formulas remain to be proven at the cellular and molecular levels. In this study, we investigate whether the two formulas have any effect on germ cell formation and differentiation by culturing rat medicated serums containing YGW or ZGW with stem cells derived from human first trimester umbilical cord. Our results showed that while the normal rat serums had no significant effects, the rat medicated serums had significant effects on the differentiation of the stem cells into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) based on (1) cell morphological changes that resembled purative cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs); (2) expressions of specific markers that were indicative of germ cell formation and oocyte development; and (3) estradiol production by the COC-like cells. Furthermore, ZGW medicated serums exhibited more obvious effects on specific gene expressions of germ cells, whereas YGW medicated serums showed stronger effects on estradiol production. Accordingly, our study provides evidence demonstrating for the first time that one of molecular and cellular actions of YGW or ZGW in treating human reproductive dysfunctions may be through an enhancement of neooogenesis.
Highlights
It is well known that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies were successfully used in reproductive medicine over thousands of years in China
A stem cell line in the third to fourth passages was used based on our recent report [15], which showed that cells in the third to fourth passages had the highest efficacy in the differentiation into oocyte-like cells (OLCs)
We did not find any significant difference in the efficiency of induction of the stem cells into the germ cell-like cells among either the cells coming from different patients or among female and male umbilical cells
Summary
It is well known that TCM therapies were successfully used in reproductive medicine over thousands of years in China. Major theories of TCM including theories of Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Qi and Blood, and Zang-fu organs are completely different from Western medicine [1, 2]. According to TCM theories, disease is generally viewed as a result of disharmony or imbalance between two opposite yet complementary forces: Yin and Yang [4]. A “Kidney” Yin or Yang deficiency is the root of many reproductive disorders in both males and females. A major purpose of TCM therapies is to reinforce the Yin or Yang deficiency [4, 5]
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