Estrogenic Effect of the Extract of QingYan Formula on Reproductive Tissues in Immature Mice.

Yuan Zhao,Hong-Xia Zheng,Ying Xu,Na Lin

doi:10.1155/2019/5493714

Abstract

A Chinese herbal preparation, QingYan formula (QYF), has been used clinically for kidney-invigorating. However, no evidence base links QYF to estrogen replacement therapy. In this study, the estrogenic effects of QingYan formula 70% ethanol extract (QYFE) were investigated in immature mice. Immature mice were treated with QYFE at doses of 1, 2, and 4g/kg for 7 days. QYFE treatments promoted vaginal cornification and prolonged the estrus status of the immature mice, promoted the growth and development of uterus and vagina, upregulated ERα and ERβ expression at protein level in uterus and vagina, increased the level of estradiol (E2), and decreased concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. This study demonstrated that QYFE exerts estrogenic effects by stimulating biosynthesis of estrogen and increasing estrogen receptors (ERs) in target tissues and provided an evidence base for QYFE treatment instead of estrogen replacement therapy.

Highlights

Estrogen is a fat-soluble steroid hormone with important implications for the growth, development, and reproduction of human body systems [1]
The vaginal cells from the immature mice treated with EV or QingYan formula 70% ethanol extract (QYFE) at doses of 1, 2, 4 g/kg became keratinized after 5day treatment, which indicates that immature mice entered the status of estrus earlier than the immature mice untreated
Treatment with QYFE prolonged the estrous stage of immature mice, suggesting potent estrogenic activity

Summary

Introduction

Estrogen is a fat-soluble steroid hormone with important implications for the growth, development, and reproduction of human body systems [1]. Many women are searching for safer alternative treatments to manage their menopausal symptoms To avoid these side effects, phytoestrogens which are estrogen-like substance derived from foods and plants, such as extracts from soybean and traditional Chinese medicine, have become a new source of estrogen [5]. These phytoestrogens do not mimic the effects of human sex hormones and exhibit similar and divergent actions [6]

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