OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a curcumin supplementation on cognitive abilities in women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea. METHODS: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from December 2019 to March 2020. A total of 124 women who had both PMS and dysmenorrhea were enrolled, and were equally and randomly assigned to the curcumin group or placebo group, 62 cases in each. Each subject received either a capsule containing 500 mg of curcuminoid, or a placebo daily, for 10 days (7 days before and until 3 days after the onset of menstrual bleeding) over 3 menstrual cycles. The cognitive abilities questionnaire was used to measures cognitive functions in 7 specific areas. Adverse reactions were monitored during and after the trial in both groups. RESULTS: Administration of curcumin was associated with a significant increase in memory score (P=0.002), inhibitory control and selective attention (P=0.020), and total cognitive ability task (P=0.024). In addition, significant increments were found in scores of memory (3.5±3.1 vs. 0.4±3.8 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; P=0.035), inhibitory control and selective attention (3.0±3.7 vs. 0.4±3.7; P=0.027) and total cognitive abilities (8.3±12.3 vs. 2.2±12.4; P=0.025) in the curcumin group versus placebo groups. Curcumin was safe and well-tolerable in current clinical trial. CONCLUSION Curcumin has a beneficial efficacy on cognitive function scores in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea, with improvements in memory, inhibitory control and selective attention. (Registration No. IRCT20191112045424N1, available at: https://www.irct.ir ).
Humans ; Female ; Curcumin/therapeutic use* ; Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy* ; Premenstrual Syndrome/psychology* ; Cognition ; Double-Blind Method

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking for menstrual headache and to discuss its mechanism.

METHODSEighty-five patients with menstrual headache were randomly divided into an observation group (43 cases) and a control group (42 cases). The observation group was treated with body acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking and the control group was treated with flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally. The treatments of 3 menstrual cycles were required. The clinical efficacy was observed in the two groups. The content of serum prostaglandin F2α, (PGF2α) and plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the menstrual periods of some patients randomly selected in the two groups was tested before and after treatment and was compared with that of 20 cases in a normal group. Results The total effective rate was 95.4% (41/43) in the observation group which was obviously superior to 81.0% (34/42) in the control group (P<0.01). Before treatment, the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP of patients in the two groups was higher than that in the normal group (all P<0.01). After treatment,the content of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP was lower than that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The content of serum PGF2α in the observation group was decreased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) and returned to the level of the normal group.

CONCLUSIONBody acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking achieves positive efficacy for menstrual headache and its mechanism could be related to regulating the abnormal levels of serum PGF2α and plasma AVP.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Arginine Vasopressin ; blood ; Dinoprost ; blood ; Female ; Headache ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish the liver-depression and spleen-deficiency syndrome model in rats to screen the optimal extraction method of small compound Yueanjian on the basis of pharmacodynamic and chemical indicators.

METHODThe PMS liver-depression and spleen-deficiency syndrome model were established by the chronic restraint stress method and treatment with Yueanjian extracted by three methods: water-extraction, steam-distillation and alcohol-extraction. Behavioral performances and the contents of estradiol and progestin in serum were determined before and after the administration of the three extracts. The contents of salvianolic acid B in these three extracts were detected by HPLC. The optimal extraction method of Yueanjian was selected according to pharmacodynamic results.

RESULTThe contents of estradiol and progestin in groups treated with steam distillations and alcoholic extraction were higher than the model group. In the open field test, the group treated with steam distillations showed much higher scores than the model group. HPLC showed that the content of salvianolic acid B extracted by steam-distillation was higher than the other two extracts.

CONCLUSIONOn the basis of pharmacodynamic and chemical results, the steam-distillation was proved to be best extraction method of Yueanjian.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Distillation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Progestins ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Jingqianping Granule (JG) on mRNA and protein expressions of mu opioid receptor in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex, the hypothalamus and hippocampus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Gan-qi invasion rats.

METHODSTwenty rats were selected to prepare the PMS Gan-qi invasion model. After modeling rats were divided into the model group and the Chinese herb treated group, ten in each group. Another 10 rats were selected as the normal control group. During the modeling, JG (1.6 g/kg) was given to rats in the Chinese herb treated group by gastrogavage, while equal volume of normal saline (1 mL/100 g) was given to rats in normal control group and the model group. All treatment was performed once daily for five successive days. The mRNA and protein expressions of mu opioid receptor in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex, the hypothalamus and hippocampus were detected using RT-PCR and Western blot respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the bands of products of MOR mRNA and protein in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex were relatively weaker in the model group, and the optical density value decreased. The MOR mRNA and protein expressions in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex relatively decreased. But the bands of products of MOR mRNA and protein in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were relatively stronger and optic value increased. The MOR mRNA and protein expressions in the hypothalamus and hippocampus relatively increased with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the bands of products of MOR mRNA and protein in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex were relatively enhanced, the MOR mRNA expression in the parietal cortex increased, the MOR protein expression in the parietal cortex and the frontal cortex increased in the Chinese herb treated group. The bands of products of MOR mRNA and protein in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were relatively weaker. The MOR mRNA and protein expressions in the hypothalamus and hippocampus relatively decreased. The MOR protein expression in the hippocampus decreased relatively with statistical difference (P<0.01, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of mu opioid receptor in brains of PMS Gan-qi invasion rats was regionally specific. Administration of JG showed corresponding regulatory effects.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid, mu ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Baixiangdan capsule (BXD), a Chinese medicinal formula, on the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) rats with Liver-qi invasion and the possible underlying micro-mechanisms.

METHODWistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups, nomal group and BXD group After evaluated by macro-behavior observation and open-field test, MTT assay and the whole-cell patch clamp recording were performed respectively to evaluate the effects of serum from BXD capsule-treated rats on the viability and GABA(A) R-induced currents of cortical neurons in vitro.

RESULTIn the open-field test, the crossing score, rearing score and total score of BXD rats decreased significantly (P < 0.05), compared by the normal rats. Compared with cells exposed to serum of normal rats, the viability values of those incubated with serum of BXD group for 24 h and 48 h significantly increased (P < 0.05), measured by MTT assay. The results of whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that concentration-response relationship curves revealed an EC50 value of (29.0 +/- 4.4) micromol x L(-1) and a Hill coefficient of 1.07 for normal-exposed cultures, (63.5 +/- 8.2) micromol x L(-1), 1.04 for BXD-exposed cultures after incubation for 24 h. Furthermore, the difference in EC50 values was statistically significant (P < 0.01), that in the Hill coefficient was not obvious.

CONCLUSIONBXD capsule could significantly decrease crossing score and total score of open-field test and effectively enhance the neuron viability and GABA(A) receptor activity in rat cortex. Paeonimetabolins I and paeonol may play a significant role in treating PMS model rats with Liver-qi invasion by BXD capsule, and paeonol may target at GABA(A) receptor, especially.

Acetophenones ; administration & dosage ; Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Benzoates ; administration & dosage ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; Monoterpenes ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Qi ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, GABA-A ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo research the effect of the Jingqianshu granule (JQS) on the expression of serotonin receptor-1A (5-HT(1A)R) in hippocampus and hypothalamus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) model rats with Liver-qi depression.

METHODThe PMS model rats with Liver-qi depression were induced by bandaging the limbs. The model rats were treated with JQS, and evaluated by open-field test. The expression of 5-HT(1A)R in hippocampus and hypothalamus was analysed by the method of RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTAfter the JQS were administered, the open field scores, the expression of 5-HT(1A)R mRNA and protein in hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe JQS granule can up-regulate the expression of 5-HT(1A)R in hippocampus and hypothalamus, which maybe one of the mechanism to treat PMS with liver-qi depression.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Qi ; Rats ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; analysis

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Breast Diseases ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pain Management ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution pattern, the protein expressions, and changes of functional activities of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta in the hippocampus of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) rats of Gan-qi depression syndrome (GDS), and to find out corresponding effect targets of Jingqianshu Granule (JG), thus providing clues for exploring the pathogenesis of PMS of GDS and the mechanisms of JG.

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into three groups, i. e., the normal group, the model group, and the medication group, 7 in each. Resident intruder stress was used to establish the model in the model group and the medication group. JG was given to rats in the medication group at the dose of 10 mL/kg by gastrogavage while modeling. Equal volume of sterilized water was given to rats in the model group and the normal group, once daily, for 5 successive days. Then the location, protein levels, and ligand-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of rats in three groups were detected using immunohistochemical assay, Western blot, and dextran-active carbon binding assay.

RESULTSThere was no difference in the distribution pattern of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus of the three groups. In aspects of protein levels and estrogen-binding capacities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus, CA1 and CA3 regions, they increased more obviously in the model group than in the normal group (P < 0.05), while they decreased more significantly in the medication group than in the model group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigher estrogen levels and enhanced expressions and activities of ERalpha and ERbeta in the hippocampus might be important mechanisms for PMS of GDS, which might also be the effect targets for JG.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; metabolism ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Qi ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Jingqianshu granule (JQS), a Chinese medicinal formula on the expression levels of ERa and ERbeta mRNA in hypothalamus and hippocampus of PMS model rats with liver-qi depression.

METHODThe female SD rats were divided randomly into three groups: control, model and model plus Jingqianshu granule. We make the model rats of PMS with liver-qi depression using the method of emotional stimulation multiple factors. Then we applied semi-quantitative RT-PCR gene amplification technology to detect the expression levels of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA in the brain regions of all rats.

RESULTCompared with the control group, the expression levels of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA in hypothalamus and hippocampus of model rats were higher significantly (P < 0.05), while in the JQS-administration group, the expression levels of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA were lower than model group (P < 0.05), and were no difference with the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe JQS granule can down-regulate the expression levels of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA in hypothalamus and hippocampus, which maybe one of the mechanism to treat PMS with Liver-qi depression.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; physiology ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Qi ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; metabolism