title: Paeoniflorin, a novel heat-shock protein inducing compound, and human myometrial contractility in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are synthesized in virtually all organisms in response to increases in temperature. They are associated with a relaxant effect on the human myometrium and are present in decreased concentration in the myometrium at the time of labor. Paeoniflorin is derived from Paeonia lactiflora and has been shown to induce the synthesis of HSPs in cultured mammalian cells. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of paeoniflorin on human uterine contractility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of human myometrium were taken at lower segment cesarean section. Dissected muscle strips were suspended under isometric conditions and exposed to cumulative additions of paeoniflorin in concentrations ranging from 1 nmol/L to 10 mol/L. Control experiments were simultaneously performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paeoniflorin was found to exert an inhibitory effect on spontaneous and agonist-induced contractions compared to control strips. The mean maximal inhibition values were: 42.21% ± 9.26 for spontaneous contractions (n = 6; P < 0.0001) and 47.84% ± 9.05 for oxytocin-induced contractions (n = 6; P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HSP inducing compound, paeoniflorin, had a relaxant effect on human uterine contractility in vitro. These results reinforce the fact that HSPs may play a physiological role in the onset of labor and may also provide future targets for novel tocolytic treatments.
authors.affiliation: NUI Galway, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Science Institute, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hehir
authors.affiliation: NUI Galway, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Science Institute, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D006027:Glycosides
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D005960:Glucosides; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D039821:Monoterpenes; C015423:peoniflorin; D006027:Glycosides
keywords: heat shock protein; labor; myometrium; paeoniflorin; smooth muscle