Objective: To study the protective mechanism of Lyceum barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on ovarian tissue in female senile rat.
Methods: Senile rats of 14 months old were divided randomly into model group, positive drug group, LBP low dosage group, LBP medium dosage group and LBP high dosage group. SD female rats of 4 months old formed a youth group. 30 days after administration,rat blood was taken, radioimmunoassay was employed to determine the levels of estrone and progesterone and enzyme immunoassay was used to determine the levels of IGF-I. Then ovarian tissue was taken to determine the levels of IGFBP-1 and IGFR.
Results: Daily oral LBP(60,40,20 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days significantly recovered uterine atrophy and restored serum IGF-I level, estrone and progesterone levels that were decreased in elder rats, reduced the expressing of IGFBP-1 in ovarian tissue that were increased in elder rats.
Conclusion: LBP has a notable protection on rat ovarian system.