Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis

The effect of Menoprogen (MPG) on ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in an aged rat model of menopause. Intragastric administration of Menoprogen or estradiol valerate to 14-month-old senile female rats for eight weeks increased plasma E2 levels, as well as t...

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Main Authors: Yu Li, Hong Ma, Ye Lu, B. J. Tan, L. Xu, Temitope O. Lawal, Gail B. Mahady, Daniel Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2016-01-01
Series:BioMed Research International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2574637
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spelling doaj-7061eb44ef5946dd9a1db90bb92a9ffe2020-11-24T22:01:22ZengHindawi LimitedBioMed Research International2314-61332314-61412016-01-01201610.1155/2016/25746372574637Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell ApoptosisYu Li0Hong Ma1Ye Lu2B. J. Tan3L. Xu4Temitope O. Lawal5Gail B. Mahady6Daniel Liu7Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, ChinaTraditional Chinese Medicine Department, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, ChinaInstitute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, ChinaHainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 571101, ChinaTraditional Chinese Medicine Department, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, ChinaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USADepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USABeijing Clinical Services Center, No. 103 Chaoyang North Road, Beijing 100123, ChinaThe effect of Menoprogen (MPG) on ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in an aged rat model of menopause. Intragastric administration of Menoprogen or estradiol valerate to 14-month-old senile female rats for eight weeks increased plasma E2 levels, as well as the weight of both ovarian and uterine tissues. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of isolated GCs from MPG-treated aged rats showed reductions in the G0/G1 ratio and apoptotic peaks. Isolated GCs also exhibited an increase in cell size and the number of cytoplastic organelles and intracellular gap junctions, the reappearance of secretory granules, and a lack of apoptotic bodies as determined by TEM. Results from a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed a reduction in TUNEL-positive GCs after MPG treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a downregulation of proapoptotic Bax proteins and an upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. The addition of MPG-medicated serum to the media of cultured GCs also reduced cadmium chloride-induced apoptosis and downregulated caspase-3 protein expression. This work demonstrates that Menoprogen inhibits GC apoptosis in aged female rats and thereby increases E2 production. This represents a novel mechanism of action for this herbal medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2574637
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yu Li
Hong Ma
Ye Lu
B. J. Tan
L. Xu
Temitope O. Lawal
Gail B. Mahady
Daniel Liu
spellingShingle Yu Li
Hong Ma
Ye Lu
B. J. Tan
L. Xu
Temitope O. Lawal
Gail B. Mahady
Daniel Liu
Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
BioMed Research International
author_facet Yu Li
Hong Ma
Ye Lu
B. J. Tan
L. Xu
Temitope O. Lawal
Gail B. Mahady
Daniel Liu
author_sort Yu Li
title Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
title_short Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
title_full Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
title_fullStr Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
title_full_unstemmed Menoprogen, a TCM Herbal Formula for Menopause, Increases Endogenous E2 in an Aged Rat Model of Menopause by Reducing Ovarian Granulosa Cell Apoptosis
title_sort menoprogen, a tcm herbal formula for menopause, increases endogenous e2 in an aged rat model of menopause by reducing ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis
publisher Hindawi Limited
series BioMed Research International
issn 2314-6133
2314-6141
publishDate 2016-01-01
description The effect of Menoprogen (MPG) on ovarian granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in an aged rat model of menopause. Intragastric administration of Menoprogen or estradiol valerate to 14-month-old senile female rats for eight weeks increased plasma E2 levels, as well as the weight of both ovarian and uterine tissues. Flow cytometric (FCM) analysis of isolated GCs from MPG-treated aged rats showed reductions in the G0/G1 ratio and apoptotic peaks. Isolated GCs also exhibited an increase in cell size and the number of cytoplastic organelles and intracellular gap junctions, the reappearance of secretory granules, and a lack of apoptotic bodies as determined by TEM. Results from a TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed a reduction in TUNEL-positive GCs after MPG treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a downregulation of proapoptotic Bax proteins and an upregulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins. The addition of MPG-medicated serum to the media of cultured GCs also reduced cadmium chloride-induced apoptosis and downregulated caspase-3 protein expression. This work demonstrates that Menoprogen inhibits GC apoptosis in aged female rats and thereby increases E2 production. This represents a novel mechanism of action for this herbal medicine in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/2574637
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