Estrogenic effect of the extract of Renshen (Radix Ginseng) on reproductive tissues in immature mice.

Jie Ding, Ying Xu, Xiaoping Ma, Jinna An, Xiudong Yang, Zhiqiang Liu, Na Lin

Index: J. Tradit. Chin. Med. 35 , 460-7, (2015)

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Abstract

To evaluate the estrogenic efficacy of Renshen (Radix Ginseng) (GS) on reproductive target tissues in immature mice.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.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.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.