title: Estrogenic effect of the extract of Renshen (Radix Ginseng) on reproductive tissues in immature mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the estrogenic efficacy of Renshen (Radix Ginseng) (GS) on reproductive target tissues in immature mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ten female immature Kunming (KM) mice, 21-day-old, were randomly assigned to eleven groups, 10 for each; one served as control group treated with 0.154 mg/kg estradiol valerate (EV, n = 10), the rest were treated respectively with GS intragastrically at a daily dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0, 18.0, 24.0 and 30.0 g/kg (n = 10 in per group) for 7 days. The estrous cycle, uterine weight, hormone levels in circulation and histomorphology changes of uterus and vagina were scrupulously examined. The estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ expressions in the uterus and vagina were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with GS at the dose of 12.0, 18.0 and 24.0 g/kg resulted significant estrogenic activity in the mice, as indicated by advanced and prolonged estrous stage and increased uterine weight (all P < 0.05). GS treatment substantially promoted development of reproductive tisue by thickening the uterine endometrium and increasing vaginal epithelial layers. In addition, treatment with GS induced significant up-regulation of ERα and ERβ expressions in reproductive tissues, and ERα up-regulation was stronger than that of ERβ. GS could raise levels of circulating estrogen, simultaneously decrease levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (all P < 0.001) compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that GS had estrogenic effect on reproductive tissues in immature mice by stimulating biosynthesis of estrogen in circulation and up-regulating ERs.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiaoping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jinna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Xiudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Na
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D004967:Estrogens