Chaihu Shugan San and Zuogui Yin synergistically improve premature ovarian failure in a rat model via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway
Zhang F, Liu RF, Xu ZL, Chen WJ, Lu XY, Wang Y · Translational Oncology · 2025 March
DOI 10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102298
Objective
To investigate the therapeutic effects of Chaihu Shugan San, Zuogui Yin, and their combination on premature ovarian failure in a rat model and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway.
Conclusions
Chaihu Shugan San, Zuogui Yin, and their combination exhibit potential efficacy in treating premature ovarian failure in rats by enhancing granulosa cell proliferation, preserving follicular integrity, inhibiting apoptosis, and activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway.
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Insights
Chaihu Shugan San, Zuogui Yin and their combination potentially address premature ovarian failure in rats by enhancing granulosa cells, preserving follicular integrity, and preventing cell apoptosis.
The study attempted to establish a premature ovarian failure model using rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress and cyclophosphamide injections. The rats were treated with Chaihu Shugan San, Zuogui Yin, or a combination of these two traditional Chinese medicine formulations. The study measured important outcomes such as the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells, follicular integrity, and hormonal levels. Researchers used staining to examine any histopathological changes in ovarian tissue as well as western blot analysis to detect apoptosis.
The results of this study revealed that the ovarian function of the rats significantly improved following treatments. The two Chinese medicine formulations, individually and in combination, increased the growth of granulosa cells, reduced follicular atresia, and normalized hormone levels. The study also provided evidence of preserved follicular structure and reduced apoptosis among the treated groups. There was an enhanced activity within the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway with increased expression of certain apoptosis-related proteins, which suggests improved cell cycle progression and protein synthesis.
