Effect of a dysmenorrhea Chinese medicinal prescription on uterus contractility in vitro

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic complaint. After their first menstrual period, 30%-60% of American women suffer from some level of discomfort. It is estimated that 6 billion work hours are lost in this manner every year in the United States which equals an economic loss of nearly US$200 million. Dysmenorrhea is not only a problem for women but also one which affects quality of life and even reduces productivity in general. Dysmenorrhea is directly related to elevated levels of PGF2alpha (prostaglandins F2alpha) and is treated using nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs in Western medicine. Though efficacy of the latter is rapid, there are many side effects to the liver, kidney, and digestive system. The anti-inflammatory effect is temporary, and such drugs are unable to provide a long-term cure. Because of this, Chinese medicinal therapy is being considered as a feasible alternative medicine. In this study, Wen-Jing Tang (one of the dysmenorrhea Chinese medicinal prescriptions) was selected. A 50% alcoholic solution was used to extract active ingredients and create a freeze-dried product. At first, Wen-Jing Tang was used to suppress spontaneous contractions and prostaglandins F2alpha-induced contractions of rat uterine smooth muscle in vitro. Then, an assessment was performed to determine the mechanism of the prescription. Acetylcholine, ergonovine, propranolol, oxytocin, and KCl were used to analyze the physiological mechanisms of WJT. The results show that antagonism of both PGF2alpha and ACh are the major mechanisms for treating dysmenorrhea by Wen-Jing Tang. Furthermore, the antagonistic effect of KCl-depolarization contractions may be an auxiliary mechanism of the curative effect.

Primary dysmenorrhea: prevalence in adolescent population of Tbilisi, Georgia and risk factors

“…It is estimated that the prevalence of dysmenorrhea varies from 20% to 95% (29)(30)(31). The results of this study confirm that dysmenorrhea is common in young women, as 52.0% of our sample experienced dysmenorrhea.…”

Traditional Chinese medicine Guizhi Fuling capsule used for therapy of dysmenorrhea via attenuating uterus contraction

“…Uterine strips were incubated in Locke's solution (NaCl 9.2 g, KCl 0.42 g, CaCl 2 0.24 g, NaHCO 3 0.15 g, Glucose 1.0 g, dissolved in 1000 ml distilled water, pH adjusted to 7.4) at 37 ± 0.1 ℃ and bubbled with gas (95 % O 2 , 5 % CO 2 ). The preload was 0.5 g, and the equilibration period was not less than 45 min (Hsu et al, 2003). Contractile responses were recorded with Power Lab (AD instruments, Australia) recording system and displayed using Chart 7 work -station (AD Instruments, Australia).…”

Ligustilide inhibits spontaneous and agonists- or K+ depolarization-induced contraction of rat uterus

“…A uterine horn was equilibrated for 20 min in the JalonRinger solution according to Hsu et al (2003). This solution was replaced by a depolarizing solution (KCl 56.3 mM) that caused rapid contraction, followed by light relaxation and a prolonged contraction plateau.…”

“…For this reason, successful treatment of this disorder has been achieved with drugs that reduce the hypercontractility of the uterine muscle, relax the uterus and thus, increase the uterine blood flow (Dawood, 1990). In spite of their effectiveness, side effects of these drugs to the liver, kidney and digestive system in long-term therapy limit their clinical uses (Hsu et al, 2003). Danggui (Angelica silvestris) is a popular traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) herb, which has long been used as a medicinal plant and is included in a number of traditional Sino-Japanese herbal prescriptions.…”