title: Ge-Gen Decoction attenuates oxytocin-induced uterine contraction and writhing response: potential application in primary dysmenorrhea therapy.
abstract: The uterine tetanic contraction and uterine artery blood flow reduction are possible reasons for primary dysmenorrhea (PD). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the uterine relaxant effect and the influence on uterine artery blood velocity of Ge-Gen Decoction (GGD), a well-known Chinese herbal formula. In female ICR mice, uterine contraction was induced by oxytocin exposure following estradiol benzoate pretreatment, and the uterine artery blood velocity was detected by Doppler ultrasound. Histopathological examination of the uterine tissue samples were performed by H&E staining. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that oxytocin, posterior pituitary, or acetylcholine induced contractions in isolated mouse uterus. GGD inhibited both spontaneous and stimulated contractions. In vivo study demonstrated that GGD significantly reduced oxytocin-induced writhing responses with a maximal inhibition of 87%. Further study demonstrated that GGD normalized oxytocin-induced abnormalities of prostaglandins F2 alpha (PGF2α) and Ca(2+) in mice. In addition, injection of oxytocin induced a decrease in uterine artery blood flow velocity. Pretreatment with GGD reversed the oxytocin response on blood flow velocity. Histopathological examination showed pretreatment with GGD alleviated inflammation and edema in the uterus when compared with the model group. Both ex vivo and in vivo results indicated that GGD possessed a significant spasmolytic effect on uterine tetanic contraction as well as improvement on uterine artery blood velocity which may involve PGF2α and Ca(2+) signaling, suggesting that GGD may have a clinic potential in PD therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Zhi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Xin-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: zycao1999@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Zheng-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Complex Prescription of TCM, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China. Electronic address: boyangyu59@163.com.
authors.forename: Bo-Yang
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: Ge-Gen Decoction; Primary dysmenorrheal; Spasmolytic and analgesic effect; Uterine artery blood flow; Uterine contraction