Objectives: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Huluan decotion (, HLD) on cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in mice and its regulatory mechanisms.
Methods: Female BALB/c mice were administered cyclophosphamide and administered received different doses of HLD for 28 d. Levels of sex hormone, such as estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the sera, were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Follicular structure variances were observed through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, while Forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) expression were analyzed via immune-ohistochemical staining. The primary mechanism of POF were investigated through Western blot analysis.
Results: E2 levels decreased, and FSH and LH levels increased in POF model mice, but these trends were reversed with HLD or premarin administration, the expressions of WNT family member 4 (Wnt4), β-Catenin and FOXL2 were downregulated in POF model mice, whereas high expression levels were observed in control mice and other groups.
Conclusion: HLD effectively treats POF induced with cyclophosphamide in mice by enhancing expressions of Wnt4, β-Catenin and FOXL2.
Keywords: Huluan decotion; beta catenin; cyclophosphamide; prescriptions; primary ovarian insufficiency; signal transduction; wnt4 protein.