Effects of Fuke Qianjin Formula on hormones and their receptors and metabonomics study in uterine fibroids model rats

Objective To investigate the effects of different fractions from Fuke Qianjin Formula (妇科千金方, FKQJF) on uterine leiomyoma (UL) to determine the best fraction.

MethodsFKQJF was extracted and isolated to obtain polysaccharides (FKP), flavonoids (FKF), and grease (FKG). 140 female SPF SD rats were divided into 14 groups model (MOD), normal control (NC), Gouliuqing (GLQ), Mifepristone (MFST), FKQJF, low, medium, and high dose of polysaccharides (l-FKP, m-FKP, and h-FKP), low, medium, and high dose of flavonoids (l-FKF, m-FKF, and h-FKF), low, medium, and high dose of grease (l-FKG, m-FKG, and h-FKG), and uterine fibroids model rats were treated with drugs for four weeks. Serum levels of estrogen and progesterone were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay assay (ELISA) kits. The expression of estrogen receptor (ER-α, ER-β) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the uterus was observed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Serum metabolite profiles and FKG were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

ResultsFKQJF, h-FKF, m-FKG, and h-FKG significantly downregulated the estrogen level in the uterine fibroid model rats (P < 0.01). FKQJF, h-FKF, and h-FKG significantly reduced the level of progesterone in the uterine fibroid model rats (P < 0.01). The levels of ER-α, ER-β, and PR in uterine fibroid model rats were significantly decreased by FKQJF and h-FKG (P < 0.01). The levels of ER-α, ER-β, and PR in the fibroid model rats were decreased by m-FKG (P < 0.05). Additionally, serum metabolism results revealed that h-FKG and FKQJF could regulate related endogenous metabolites and make the pathological indices of uterine fibroids in rats close to the normal group. Forty-six components were identified in the oil, accounting for 91.97% of the total oil components.

ConclusionFKQJF and h-FKG showed a significant anti-myoma activity and significantly improved the pathological state of the uterus in rats with hysteromyoma. The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of estrogen progesterone and its receptor in uterine fibroid model animals. These findings proved the effect of FKQJF on uterine leiomyoma and provided an experimental basis for its clinical research and application.