Fering from POF. Recently, a number of treatment regimens, including clomiphene
Fering from POF. Recently, a number of treatment regimens, including clomiphene, gonadotropins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and immunosuppressants, have been used clinically with the aim of restoring fertility [11, 12]. However, these treatment approaches have limited success in improving the likelihood of conception as well as ameliorating menopausal symptoms [13]. Thus, there is still an increasing demand for novel and effective therapeutics for POF. In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has attracted significant attention for the management of female reproductive dysfunctions due to its efficacy, safety, and low cost [14?8]. Bushen Tianjing Recipe (BTR) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been prescribed for female reproductive disorders including POF for decades in China. Recently, several clinical studies demonstrated the clinical efficacy of BTR. For example, Liang et al. [19] reported that in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVFET), administration of BTR could enhance the quality of oocytes, and increase the sensitivity of ovarian follicles to exogenous gonadotropins. In another randomized clinical trial, the combination of BTR and HRT showed significant therapeutic effects in patients with POF, which was manifested by substantial improvements in clinical symptoms, menstrual states, and serum sex hormones levels [20]. Taken together, these findings provide a rationale for implicating the therapeutic use of BTR in the PubMed ID:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28914615 treatment of POF and other female reproductive disorders. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the underlying molecular NecrosulfonamideMedChemExpress Necrosulfonamide mechanism. BTR contains four components, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum, and Corni Fructus. In vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that PubMed ID:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25962748 the major bioactive compounds isolated from these components have ovarianTable 1 The components of Bushen Tianjing RecipeComponents Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum Paeoniae Radix Alba Corni Fructus Chinese name Shu Di Huang Gui Jia Bai Shao Shan Yu Roufailure-resistant effects or pharmacological activities against gynaecological disorders [21, 22]. More importantly, pro-angiogenic and anti-apoptotic signaling cascades have been implicated in the bioactivities of these compounds [23?6]. Therefore, we hypothesized that the effect of BTR against POF may be mediated through proangiogenic and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. To validate this hypothesis, in the present study, we investigated the effects of BTR as well as the underling mechanisms in a tripterygium glycoside (TG)-induced POF rat model.Methods The Minimum Standards of Reporting Checklist (Additional file 1) contains details of the experimental design, and statistics, and resources used in this study.Chemicals and reagentsBTR was provided by Suzhou Chunhui Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Factory (Suzhou, China). The components of BTR and their amounts are listed in Table 1. The preparation process of BTR was as described in the following. All components were mixed in proportion and then decocted with an eightfold quantity of water (volume/ weight) twice, for 1.5 h each time. The resultant decoction was filtrated, combined, and concentrated to a relative density of 1.2 g/ml (at 60 ) under vacuum. The concentrated decoction (i.e., BTR) was stored at 4 for future use. According to the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2010 edition) an.