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Smilax china L. (SCL) is extensively used in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This study aimed to clarify the potential active ingredients of SCL and mechanisms on PID. SCL was widely distributed in Japan, South Korea, and China, which was traditionally considered heat-clearing, detoxicating, and dampness-eliminating medicine. Systems pharmacology revealed that 32 compounds in SCL may interact with 19 targets for immunoenhancement, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, and antioxidant activity of the PID model. Molecular docking revealed that isorhamnetin, moracin M, rutin, and oxyresveratrol may have higher binding potential with prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), siderocalin (LCN2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP9), respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the binding modes of moracin M-MAPK1, rutin-TNF, and oxyresveratrol-MMP9 complexes were more stable, evidenced by relatively smaller fluctuations in root mean square deviation values. Conclusively, SCL may treat PID by inhibiting inflammatory factors, antitissue fibrosis, and microbial growth.

IL-6 is a multifunctional pro-inflammatory cytokine and has been implicated in many gestational disorders including preterm birth. Currently, there are no appropriate therapeutic interventions available to circumvent inflammatory-mediated gestational disorders. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify a safe and effective pharmacological compound to counterbalance inflammatory responses in the uterus. Curcumin, a naturally-occurring polyphenolic compound, has been widely used in alternative medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin has not been explored in uterine decidual cells, a major source of IL-6. Therefore, we examined the effect of curcumin on IL-6 expression using two types of uterine decidual cells 1) HuF cells, primary human fibroblast cells obtained from the decidua parietalis; 2) UIII cells, a rodent non-transformed decidual cell line. Curcumin treatment completely abrogated the expression of IL-1β-induced IL-6 in these cells. Curcumin also strongly inhibited the expression of gp130, a critical molecule in IL-6 signaling, whereas expression of IL-6R and sIL-6R was not affected. Curcumin also inhibited phosphorylation and nuclear localization of STAT3, a well-known downstream mediator of IL-6 signaling. Furthermore, curcumin attenuated IL-1β-induced IL-6 promoter reporter activity suggesting transcriptional regulation. To further understand whether NF-ҡB is involved in this inhibition, we examined the effect of curcumin on the expression of p50 and p65 subunits of NF-ҡB in decidual cells. Expression of IL-1β-induced p50 mRNA was repressed by curcumin while p65 mRNA was not affected. However, curcumin treatment dramatically inhibited both p50 and p65 protein levels and prevented its nuclear localization. This effect is at least partly mediated through the deactivation of IKK, since IL-1β-induced IKKα/β phosphorylation is decreased upon curcumin treatment. Our results not only revealed molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin action in uterine decidual cells but also suggest that this compound may have therapeutic potential for the prevention of inflammation-mediated preterm birth and other gestational disorders.

Background The consumption of bear gallbladders and bear bile in Southeast Asia is a persistent threat to bear populations. As part of a larger effort to understand the characteristics of bear part consumption in Cambodia, we uncovered a consumer base of women seeking treatment for post-partum and uterine ailments. Methods To better understand this aspect of consumption, we interviewed 122 women in seven different provinces in Cambodia, probing into the motivations and influences for using bear bile, as well as what types of ailments Cambodian women use it for. Results We found that it is generally used by young or expecting mothers, and for such issues as post-partum “fatigue” ( toas in Khmer), which could encompass post-partum depression. A desire to be supported by kin networks seems to facilitate the continued use of bear gallbladder and bile for these purposes. Conclusions We suggest that efforts to reduce consumption should focus on encouraging older kin to change their means of support to Western/biomedical and by extension non-wildlife alternatives.

Background Oils in traditional medicine are important products and used routinely for therapeutic purposes. Rose oil ( Rosa damascene Mill), a product of Persian medicine, is advised for the treatment of Infectious diseases related to the female genitourinary tract. In the present study , R. damascena petal oil, aqueous, and hydroalcoholic extracts were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and anti- Trichomonas vaginalis effects. Methods Anti- trichomonas activity evaluation of extracts and oil were assayed by the Homocytometery method. Their antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and clinically isolated Group B Streptococcus were assayed by broth microdilution in 96-well plates. Results The MIC of hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts ranged from 25-50 and 25-100 mg/ml, respectively. Rose oil at all administered doses failed to show any antibacterial activity. Conclusion All extracts and oil concentrations showed some degree of growth inhibition activity on T. vaginalis ; however, hydroalcoholic extract was more efficient.

Heavy menstrual blood loss is a common reason for women to seek medical care. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS) is an effective medical treatment for menorrhagia. We report a randomised comparison of this approach with hysterectomy in terms of the quality of life of women with menorrhagia and cost-effectiveness. Of 598 women referred with menorrhagia to five university hospitals in Finland, 236 were eligible and agreed to take part. They were randomly assigned treatment with the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS (n=119) or hysterectomy (n=117). The amount of menstrual blood loss was objectively measured. The primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life at 12-month follow-up. Analyses were by intention to treat. In the group assigned the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS, 24 (20%) women had had hysterectomy and 81 (68%) continued to use the system at 12 months. Of the women assigned to the hysterectomy group, 107 underwent the operation. Health-related quality of life improved significantly in both the IUS and hysterectomy groups (change 0·10 [95% CI 0·06–0·14] in both groups) as did other indices of psychological wellbeing. There were no significant differences between the treatment groups except that women with hysterectomy suffered less pain. Overall costs were about three times higher for the hysterectomy group than for the IUS group. The significant improvement in health-related quality of life highlights the importance of treating menorrhagia. During the first year the levonorgestrel-releasing IUS was a cost-effective alternative to hysterectomy in treatment of this disorder.

Ethanol-extracted Cameroobian propolis exhibited in vitro and in vivo estrogen-like effects. This extract may contain promising phytoestrogens. https://static-content.springer.com/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs12906-017-1568-8/MediaObjects/12906_2017_1568_Figa_HTML.gif

Doc number: 198 Abstract Background: Germinated brown rice (GBR) is gaining momentum in the area of biomedical research due to its increased use as a nutraceutical for the management of diseases. The effect of GBR on the reproductive organs of oophorectomised rats was studied using the gross, cytological, histological and immunohistochemical changes, with the aim of reducing atrophy and dryness of the genital organs in menopause. Methods: Experimental rats were divided into eight groups of six rats per group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 (sham-operated (SH), oophorectomised without treatment (OVX) and oophorectomised treated with 0.2 mg/kg oestrogen, respectively) served as the controls. The groups 4,5,6,7 and 8 were treated with 20 mg/kg Remifemin, 200 mg/kg of GBR, ASG, oryzanol and GABA, respectively. All treatments were administered orally, once daily for 8 weeks. Vaginal smear cytology was done at the 7th week on all the rats. The weight and dimensions of the uterus and vagina were determined after sacrifice of the rats. Uterine and vaginal tissues were taken for histology and Immunohistochemical examinations. Results: GBR and its bioactives treated groups significantly increased the weight and length of both the uterus and the vagina when compared to Oophorectomised non-treated group (OVX-non-treated) (p < 0.05). Significant changes were observed in the ratio of cornified epithelial cells and number of leucocytes in the vaginal cytology between the oophorectomised non-treated and treated groups. There was also an increase in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells activity in the treated compared with the untreated groups histologically. Immunohistochemical staining showed specific proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the treated groups, which was absent in the OVX-non-treated group. GBR improved the length and weight of the uterus and also increased the number of glandular and luminal cells epithelia of the vagina. Conclusion: GBR and its bioactives could be a potential alternative in improving reproductive system atrophy, dryness and discomfort during menopause.