Objective To investigate the intervention mechanism of Bushen Zhupai Decoction on polycystic ovary syndrome rats with insulin resistance based on IL-6/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway Methods A rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance was established by feeding high-fat diet combined with oral administration of letrozole,and the blank group was fed with ordinary diet.The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,metformin group and Bushen Zhupai Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.The corresponding intervention were given for 28 days.Fasting blood glucose(FBG)content was detected,and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was calculated.ELISA was used to detect serum fasting insulin(FINS),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)contents.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ovarian tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detected the expressions of interleukin(IL)-6,p-PI3K,p-AKT and GLUT4 in ovarian tissue.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of IL-6,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,p-AKT and GLUT4 in ovarian tissue,while RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of IL-6,PI3K,AKT and GLUT4.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,FBG,FINS and serum T and LH contents of the model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),while the serum E2 and FSH contents significantly decreased(P<0.01);ovarian tissue showed polycystic changes,with reduced layers and loose arrangement of granulosa cells,the expression of IL-6 protein and mRNA in ovarian tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT and GLUT4 proteins significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expressions of PI3K,AKT and GLUT4 mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in each administration group decreased,and the contents of FBG,FINS and serum T and LH decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the contents of E2 and FSH increased;polycystic changes in ovarian tissue were reduced,mature follicles increased,and granulosa cells were tightly arranged,the expression of IL-6 protein and mRNA in ovarian tissue decreased,the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,GLUT4 protein and PI3K,AKT,GLUT4 mRNA increased.Bushen Zhupai Decoction high-dosage group showed statistical significance(P<0.01).Conclusion Bushen Zhupai Decoction can improve reproductive and metabolic disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting IL-6 expression,activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,and alleviating insulin resistance.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Bushen Zhupai Decoction in treating ovarian fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)model rats based on IL-17/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Totally 60 SPF grade female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Yousiyue group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.The PCOS model was replicated by gavage of 1 mg/kg letrozole for 21 days.The Yousiyue group was given a 10 mg/kg solution of drospirenone ethinylestradiol tablets by gavage,TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given 8.82,17.64 and 35.28 g/kg of Bushen Zhupai Decoction by gavage,once a day for 28 consecutive days.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the morphology of ovarian tissue and ovarian fibrosis,the contents of serum IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA,the mRNA expression of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 in ovarian tissue were determined by RT-qPCR,the protein expression of TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1,α-SMA,E-cadherin and the positive expression of IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA in ovarian tissue were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining respectively.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,ovarian mass and ovarian index significantly increased of rats in model group,with follicular cystic dilation,thinning of granulosa cell layer,and significant increase in fibrosis positive range(P<0.01),the serum contents of IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 mRNA and IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the ovarian index of rats in Yousiyue group and TCM medium-and high-dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the rats in TCM high-dosage group showed dominant follicles,increased thickness of granulosa cell layer,and significantly reduced fibrosis positive range(P<0.01),the serum contents of IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β significantly decreased in Yousiyue group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.01),the mRNA expressions of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1,and the protein expressions of IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA in ovarian tissue significantly decreaed in TCM high-dosage group(P<0.01,P<0.05),the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Bushen Zhupai Decoction can decrease the body mass,improve the ovarian index,decrease the expressions of inflammatory factors and improve the status of ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of IL-17/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang in antagonizing cellular pyroptosis and fibrosis in ectopic endometrial tissues of endometriosis through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-two SPF-grade female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group （n = 12） and a modeling group （n = 60）. The rats in the sham-operated group underwent a caesarean section， while the rats in the modeling group were used to establish an endometriosis model through the auto-transplantation method. After successful modeling， the animals were randomly divided into the model group， progesterone group （0.25 mg·kg^-1）， and modified Shaofu Zhuyutang low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （7.5， 15， 30 g·kg^-1）， with 12 animals in each group. After 4 weeks of drug administration， voluntary activity and heat pain latency were observed. The rats were sacrificed for tissue collection， and Masson staining were used to observe histopathological changes in the endometrial tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure serum levels of interleukin-18 （IL-18）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the protein expression area of tumor necrosis factor-related factor 6 （TRAF6） and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and gasdermin D （GSDMD） in the endometrial tissues. Western blot was employed to measure the relative expression of TRL4， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， TRAF6， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， and NLPR3 proteins in endometrial tissues. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRL4， MyD88， TRAF6， NF-κB， and NLPR3 in the endometrial tissues. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， rats in the model group showed reduced voluntary activity and shorter heat pain latency. Serum levels of IL-18， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β were elevated. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins were increased， and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD was enhanced. The relative expression of TRL4， MyD88， TRAF6， NF-κB p65， p-NF-κB p65， and NLPR3 proteins， along with the expression of TRL4， MyD88， TRAF6， NF-κB， and NLPR3 mRNA， were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in the progesterone group and the modified Shaofu Zhuyutang medium- and high-dose groups exhibited improved voluntary activity， longer heat pain latency， the fibrosis of endometrial tissue is alleviated. Serum levels of IL-18， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β were decreased. The relative expression areas of TRAF6 and NLPR3 proteins decreased， and the relative fluorescence intensity of Caspase-1 and GSDMD weakened. The relative expression of TRL4， MyD88， TRAF6， p-NF-κB p65， NLPR3 proteins， and TRL4， MyD88， TRAF6， NF-κB， and NLPR3 mRNA expression were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may play a therapeutic role in endometriosis by interfering with key proteins in the TRL4/NF-κB/NLPR3 signaling pathway， reducing NLRP3 inflammasome-induced cellular pyroptosis， antagonizing the fibrosis process in ectopic endometrial tissues， improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the pelvic cavity， and alleviating pain.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang on key proteins of the epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway in SD rats with endometriosis. MethodsAfter successful establishment of an endometriosis model in 60 female SD rats of SPF grade via the auto-transplantation method， the rats were randomly divided into a model group， modified Shaofu Zhuyutang high-， medium-， and low-dose groups， and a gestrinone group， with another 12 rats serving as a blank group. The blank and model groups were administered 10 mL·kg^-1 normal saline， while the high-， medium-， and low-dose groups received 30， 15， and 7.5 g·kg^-1 modified Shaofu Zhuyutang， respectively. The gestrinone group was administered 0.25 mg·kg^-1 gestrinone suspension. After four weeks of treatment， uterine contractions were induced with 2 U of oxytocin， and the writhing response of rats was observed. After 24 h， the rats were euthanized， and the weight and volume of ectopic endometrial tissue were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in endometrial tissues， while the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling （TUNEL） assay was used to evaluate the apoptosis rate of endometrial tissues. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the relative expression areas of the B-cell lymphoma-2 gene-associated promoter （Bad） and B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） proteins in endometrial tissues. Serum levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， epidermal growth factor （EGF）， and EGFR were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The relative protein expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， Akt， and phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt） in endometrial tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed endometrial thickening， glandular and mesenchymal hyperplasia， a significant decrease in the relative expression area of Bad in ectopic endometrial tissues， a significant increase in the relative expression area of Bcl-2， and a significant reduction in the apoptosis rate as indicated by TUNEL staining. Serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， EGF， and EGFR were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The relative protein expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， and p-Akt， as well as the mRNA expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， and Akt， were also significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose groups of modified Shaofu Zhuyutang and the gestrinone group exhibited reduced glandular and mesenchymal hyperplasia to varying degrees， with dilated glandular lumens. The number of writhing responses was significantly reduced， the latency to writhing response was significantly prolonged， and the weight and volume of ectopic endometrial tissue were significantly decreased. The relative expression area of Bad in ectopic endometrial tissue was significantly increased， the relative expression area of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased， and the apoptosis rate was significantly elevated as shown by TUNEL staining. Serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， EGF， and EGFR were significantly reduced， and the relative protein expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， and p-Akt， as well as the mRNA expression levels of EGFR， PI3K， and Akt， were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Shaofu Zhuyutang may exert therapeutic effects on endometriosis by interfering with key proteins of the EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inducing apoptosis in ectopic endometrial tissue.

Objective:To propose suggestions for the revision of quality standard of steviol glycosides through research on its major manufacturer's products.Methods:The inspection items in the current quality standards were inspected,with domestic and international quality standard of steviol glycosides.Results:Specific rotation was from-33.39° to-39.50°,pH was from 5.3 to 6.7,impurity absorbency was lower than 0.096 0,while the contents of weight loss on drying were lower than 5.0％,residue on ignition were lower than 0.043％,methanol residual were lower than 0.01％,ethanol residual were lower than 0.06％,residue on arsenic were lower than 0.000 054％,lead wasn't detected.The content of rebaudioside A and 13 kinds of steviol glycosides were 8.23％-68.48％and 85.78％-96.13％.Conclusion:The main components of the commercial steviol glycosides products were rebaudioside A and stevioside,with low safety risk of elemental impurities and solvent residues.It provided suggestions for the revision of quality standard of steviol glycosides in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Bushen Zhupai Decoction in treating ovarian fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)model rats based on IL-17/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods Totally 60 SPF grade female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,Yousiyue group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.The PCOS model was replicated by gavage of 1 mg/kg letrozole for 21 days.The Yousiyue group was given a 10 mg/kg solution of drospirenone ethinylestradiol tablets by gavage,TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups were given 8.82,17.64 and 35.28 g/kg of Bushen Zhupai Decoction by gavage,once a day for 28 consecutive days.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the morphology of ovarian tissue and ovarian fibrosis,the contents of serum IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β were detected by ELISA,the mRNA expression of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 in ovarian tissue were determined by RT-qPCR,the protein expression of TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1,α-SMA,E-cadherin and the positive expression of IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA in ovarian tissue were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining respectively.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,ovarian mass and ovarian index significantly increased of rats in model group,with follicular cystic dilation,thinning of granulosa cell layer,and significant increase in fibrosis positive range(P<0.01),the serum contents of IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 mRNA and IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA proteins significantly increased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the ovarian index of rats in Yousiyue group and TCM medium-and high-dosage groups significantly decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),the rats in TCM high-dosage group showed dominant follicles,increased thickness of granulosa cell layer,and significantly reduced fibrosis positive range(P<0.01),the serum contents of IL-17,IL-18 and IL-1β significantly decreased in Yousiyue group and TCM low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(P<0.01),the mRNA expressions of IL-17,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1,and the protein expressions of IL-17RA,TRAF6,NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and α-SMA in ovarian tissue significantly decreaed in TCM high-dosage group(P<0.01,P<0.05),the expression of E-cadherin protein significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Bushen Zhupai Decoction can decrease the body mass,improve the ovarian index,decrease the expressions of inflammatory factors and improve the status of ovarian fibrosis in PCOS rats.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of IL-17/TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on intestinal flora and inflammatory factor interleukin(IL)-6 in ulcerative colitis(UC)model rats and to explore the related mechanism of acupuncture in treating UC.Methods:Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a model(MO)group,a mesalazine(ME)group,and an acupuncture(AC)group,with 8 rats in each group.Rats,except those in the NC group,were given a 2.5%sodium dextran sulfate solution to establish UC models.After successful modeling,rats in the ME group were treated with mesalazine by gavage twice a day for 7 continuous days;rats in the AC group received acupuncture at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)with needles retained for 20 min each time,once a day for 7 consecutive days.After intervention,changes in the intestinal flora diversity,colon tissue damage degree,and inflammatory factor expression in each group of rats were evaluated.Results:The body mass increased slowly in the MO group compared to the NC group.After intervention,the body mass increased more significantly,colon injuries recovered,and intestinal flora diversity improved in the ME and AC groups compared to the MO group(P<0.05).The IL-6 expression level was higher in the MO group compared to the NC group(P<0.05).The IL-6 expression level decreased in the AC group compared to the MO group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)improves body mass loss and colon injuries,regulates intestinal flora diversity,and reduces the expression of inflammatory factor IL-6 in the colon tissue of UC rats,therefore alleviating the disease severity of UC.

Objective:To propose suggestions for the revision of quality standard of steviol glycosides through research on its major manufacturer's products.Methods:The inspection items in the current quality standards were inspected,with domestic and international quality standard of steviol glycosides.Results:Specific rotation was from-33.39° to-39.50°,pH was from 5.3 to 6.7,impurity absorbency was lower than 0.096 0,while the contents of weight loss on drying were lower than 5.0％,residue on ignition were lower than 0.043％,methanol residual were lower than 0.01％,ethanol residual were lower than 0.06％,residue on arsenic were lower than 0.000 054％,lead wasn't detected.The content of rebaudioside A and 13 kinds of steviol glycosides were 8.23％-68.48％and 85.78％-96.13％.Conclusion:The main components of the commercial steviol glycosides products were rebaudioside A and stevioside,with low safety risk of elemental impurities and solvent residues.It provided suggestions for the revision of quality standard of steviol glycosides in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture on intestinal flora and inflammatory factor interleukin(IL)-6 in ulcerative colitis(UC)model rats and to explore the related mechanism of acupuncture in treating UC.Methods:Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control(NC)group,a model(MO)group,a mesalazine(ME)group,and an acupuncture(AC)group,with 8 rats in each group.Rats,except those in the NC group,were given a 2.5%sodium dextran sulfate solution to establish UC models.After successful modeling,rats in the ME group were treated with mesalazine by gavage twice a day for 7 continuous days;rats in the AC group received acupuncture at bilateral Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)with needles retained for 20 min each time,once a day for 7 consecutive days.After intervention,changes in the intestinal flora diversity,colon tissue damage degree,and inflammatory factor expression in each group of rats were evaluated.Results:The body mass increased slowly in the MO group compared to the NC group.After intervention,the body mass increased more significantly,colon injuries recovered,and intestinal flora diversity improved in the ME and AC groups compared to the MO group(P<0.05).The IL-6 expression level was higher in the MO group compared to the NC group(P<0.05).The IL-6 expression level decreased in the AC group compared to the MO group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture at Tianshu(ST25)and Zusanli(ST36)improves body mass loss and colon injuries,regulates intestinal flora diversity,and reduces the expression of inflammatory factor IL-6 in the colon tissue of UC rats,therefore alleviating the disease severity of UC.

Objective To investigate the intervention mechanism of Bushen Zhupai Decoction on polycystic ovary syndrome rats with insulin resistance based on IL-6/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway Methods A rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance was established by feeding high-fat diet combined with oral administration of letrozole,and the blank group was fed with ordinary diet.The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group,metformin group and Bushen Zhupai Decoction low-,medium-and high-dosage groups.The corresponding intervention were given for 28 days.Fasting blood glucose(FBG)content was detected,and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was calculated.ELISA was used to detect serum fasting insulin(FINS),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)contents.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of ovarian tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detected the expressions of interleukin(IL)-6,p-PI3K,p-AKT and GLUT4 in ovarian tissue.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of IL-6,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,p-AKT and GLUT4 in ovarian tissue,while RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of IL-6,PI3K,AKT and GLUT4.Results Compared with the blank group,the body mass,FBG,FINS and serum T and LH contents of the model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),while the serum E2 and FSH contents significantly decreased(P<0.01);ovarian tissue showed polycystic changes,with reduced layers and loose arrangement of granulosa cells,the expression of IL-6 protein and mRNA in ovarian tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT and GLUT4 proteins significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expressions of PI3K,AKT and GLUT4 mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass of rats in each administration group decreased,and the contents of FBG,FINS and serum T and LH decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05),while the contents of E2 and FSH increased;polycystic changes in ovarian tissue were reduced,mature follicles increased,and granulosa cells were tightly arranged,the expression of IL-6 protein and mRNA in ovarian tissue decreased,the expressions of p-PI3K,p-AKT,GLUT4 protein and PI3K,AKT,GLUT4 mRNA increased.Bushen Zhupai Decoction high-dosage group showed statistical significance(P<0.01).Conclusion Bushen Zhupai Decoction can improve reproductive and metabolic disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance rats,and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting IL-6 expression,activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,and alleviating insulin resistance.