Bushen Huoxue Recipe Alleviates Implantation Loss in Mice by Enhancing Estrogen–Progesterone Signals and Promoting Decidual Angiogenesis Through FGF2 During Early Pregnancy

Abstract

Bushen Huoxue recipe (BSHXR) is a classic Chinese herbal prescription for nourishing the kidney and activating blood circulation. It consists of six herbs: Astragali radix, Angelicae sinensis radix, Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Cuscutae semen, Taxilli Herba, and Dipsaci Radix, and the main active constituents of BSHXR are ferulic acid, calycosin-7-glucopyranoside, hyperoside, quercitrin, and asperosaponin VI. In clinical practice, BSHXR is traditionally used to treat failed pregnancy and its complications. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of BSHXR for the treatment of implantation loss during early pregnancy. In the current study, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was induced in mice as our implantation loss model, and we evaluated the effects of BSHXR on implantation, decidualization, decidual angiogenesis, and reproductive outcome. We showed that BSHXR could regulate the supraphysiological levels of serum estrogen and progesterone observed in these mice, and also act on estrogen and progesterone receptors in the stroma and epithelium. BSHXR also enhanced FGF2 expression in the vascular sinus folding area of the decidua, thus potentially reducing implantation loss during early pregnancy and contributing to placentation and survival of the fetuses. Taken together, our findings provide scientific evidence for the application of BSHXR in the clinic as a treatment for implantation loss during early pregnancy, and warrant further investigation of BSHXR as an effective treatment for failed pregnancy and its complications.

Effects of Erbuzhuyu Decoction Combined with Acupuncture on Endometrial Receptivity Are Associated with the Expression of miR‐494‐3p

“…EBZYD combined with acupuncture treatment showed more pinopodes and thicker endometrium than EBZYD or acupuncture administration. The development and maturation of the vascular network are essential for the successful development of the placenta and normal embryonic growth [ 31 ]. VEGF is a key angiogenic modulator, regulating uterine angiogenesis [ 32 , 33 ].…”

BuShen HuoXue Decoction Promotes Decidual Stromal Cell Proliferation via the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

“…BuShen HuoXue decoction (BSHXD) is an efficacious prescription to prevent miscarriage in URSA and assist reproduction [ 13 ]. Previous studies of its mechanism in rats have provided a theoretical and practical reference for the comprehensive roles of BSHXD in angiogenesis, hormone management, endometrial receptivity, and reproductive outcomes [ 14 ].…”

Systems Pharmacology‐Based Research on the Mechanism of Tusizi‐Sangjisheng Herb Pair in the Treatment of Threatened Abortion

“…In China, TA can be mainly attributed to the deficiency of the viscera especially the deficiency of the kidney according to the theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Herbs like Cuscutae Semen (Tusizi in Chinese), Herba Taxilli (Sangjisheng in Chinese), Dipsaci Radix (Xuduan in Chinese), and Astragali Radix (Huangqi in Chinese) are used to treat TA for their functions of replenishing the kidney essence (Shen Jing in Chinese) and nourishing the liver [17,18]. Zeng et al [19] and Li's [20] researches based on a data mining method have shown that Cuscutae Semen and Herba Taxilli were frequently prescribed for TA treatment and were always used in combination as an herb pair, indicating the key role of these two herbs in TA treatment and the representative value for other akin herbs to explore the potential mechanisms of action on TA treatment.…”