[Effects of flavonoids from semen Cuscutae on changes of beta-EP in hypothalamuses and FSH and LH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress]

Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Dec;25(12):886-8.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study the mechanism of flavonoids from Semen Cuscutae (FSC) improving the ovarian endocrine functions.

Methods: (1) FSC were obtained from the semen of Cuscuta chinensis through solvent extraction and polyamide columnar chromatography. (2) Sound, light and electricity were combined into a stressful stimulas to induce psychologic stress in female rats. (3) To observe the effects of FSC on the changes of beta-EP in hypothalamuses, FSH and LH in anterior pituitaries and the changes in pituitary morphology in female rats exposed to psychologic stress.

Results: FSC decreased the content of beta-EP in hypothalamuses, and increased the numbers of basophilic cell and content of LH in anterior pituitaries, didn't change content of FSH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress.

Conclusion: FSC decreases the contents of beta-EP in hypothalamuses and increases contents of LH in anterior pituitaries in female rats exposed to psychologic stress, which may be one of the mechanism of FSC improving hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cuscuta / chemistry*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / metabolism
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Pituitary Gland, Anterior / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Stress, Psychological / metabolism
  • beta-Endorphin / metabolism

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Flavonoids
  • beta-Endorphin
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone