Objective: To study the effect of the mixture of Rhizoma Curcumae (YFN) and Oviducts Ranae on serum estrogen and spleen estrogen receptor expressions and its effect on reproductive endocrine-immune network in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.
Methods: Female SD rat models of climacteric syndrome (CS) were established by ovariectomy. After administration of YFN in the rats for 12 consecutive weeks, the serum estrogen levels (E2, FSH, LH, T, and P) and interleukin-2 were determined using radioimmunoassay, and the expression levels of estrogen receptor in the spleen were detected with immunofluorescence assay.
Results: The serum E2, T, P, and interleukin-2 levels (P<0.01) and spleen estrogen receptor expression (P<0.05) were significantly increased after high-dose YFN administration in the OVX rats as compared with the levels in the untreated OVX rats. YFN also resulted in lowered serum FSH and LH levels, but the changes were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: YFN can increase the serum estrogen levels and estrogen receptor expression in the spleen of OVX rats, suggesting its clinical potential for relieving CS.