phenanthrenes and Primary-Ovarian-Insufficiency

With the increasing incidence of premature ovarian failure (POF) seriously threaten the women's health. Whether cryptotanshinone decreased the granulosa cell apoptosis to improve the POF would be explored. POF mice were conducted with intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide and then treated with cryptotanshinone. The body weight and ovarian weight were recorded. The estrus was detected by vaginal smears. The pathological changes of ovarian were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. ELISA assay analyzed the levels of LH, FSH, AMH, E2 and AzpAB in mice serum. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, KI67 and PCNA in ovarian tissues was detected by Western blot analysis and KI67 expression was also determined by immunohistochemistry. The body weight and ovarian weight were decreased and the pathological results of ovarian were worsen in POF mice. The estrus was decreased in POF mice. The levels of LH, FSH and AzpAB were increased and the levels of AMH and E2 were decreased in POF mice serum. The expression of Bcl-2, KI67 and PCNA was decreased and Bax expression was increased in ovarian tissues of POF mice. Those changes affected by cyclophosphamide could be reversed by cryptotanshinone. Cryptotanshinone could decrease the granulosa cell apoptosis to restore ovarian function.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Female; Granulosa Cells; Mice; Ovary; Phenanthrenes; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

The use of triptolide (TP) is limited by its poor water solubility and severe toxicity. In this study, we developed an active drug delivery system (TP-loaded nanoparticles) that could help improve the water solubility of TP and decrease its toxicity. Then, we investigated whether TP-loaded nanoparticles could be used to establish a novel premature ovarian insufficiency mouse model. The mice treated with TP-loaded nanoparticles for 35 days displayed normal growth, decreased serum antimullerian hormone, prominent ovarian fibrosis and vacuolar changes, fewer follicles and corpus lutea, increased collapsed oocytes and follicle apoptosis, and sterility. In conclusion, this model appears to show the reproductive characteristics associated with premature ovarian insufficiency in women and will allow us to study the mechanism of the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on gonadal toxicity.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Disease Models, Animal; Diterpenes; Drug Delivery Systems; Epoxy Compounds; Female; Fertility; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Nanoparticles; Phenanthrenes; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency