Erxian decoction stimulates estrogen secretion via steroidogenic signaling transduction pathway in vivo

Abstract

Peri-menopause is the period during which estrogen secreted by the ovaries gradually declines and patients suffer from much higher incidences of body and mental changes, such as hot flashes. Perimenopause is normally treated by hormone replacement therapy. However, such treatment may increase incidence of different side effects, e.g. breast cancer and stroke. Therefore, scientists are seeking alternative therapeutic approaches, such as Chinese Medicine. Erxian decoction (EXD), a Chinese medicinal formulation has clinically been practiced more than 50 years in relieving perimenopausal syndrome via stimulation of estrogen secretion without side effects. However, its action mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, a quality control study of EXD using HPLC has been performed and its action mechanisms in estrogen secretion in a peri-menopausal animal model (aged SD-Rat) have been explored. Our results show that 1) seventeen major constituents in EXD have been detected using HPLC and their relevant components of jatrorrhizine, palmatine and berberine were eluted at a retention time of 49.221 min, 50.602 min and 51.265 min respectively, homogeneity

99.99% and 2) EXD could promote a gene expression of steroidogenic enzyme in peri-menopausal rat which directly induces estrogen synthesis. Results obtained from this study provided the new information to develop the effective therapy and open new alternatives for the treatment of peri-menopausal syndrome.