Paeonol alleviates primary dysmenorrhea in mice via activating CB2R in the uterus

Pulsed red light photobiomodulation ameliorates oxytocin-induced primary dysmenorrhea in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and lipid accumulation

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has gained attention as a kind of anti-pain or anti-inflammation therapy, yet its efficacy in mitigating the symptoms and underlying metabolic disturbances of primary dysmenorrhea remains underexplored. Here, 630 nm light reduced menstrual pain and prostaglandin F2a/prostaglandin E2 dysregulation, regulated oxidation and lipid peroxidation levels, and improved uterus damage in oxytocin-induced mice. Notably, pulsed wave (PW) treatment exhibited superior efficacy compared to continuous wave application. Hence, this research focused on the effects of 630 nm PW on oxytocin-induced mice by examining changes in the uterine transcriptome and plasma metabolome. Results from integrated analyses revealed significant modifications primarily in antioxidant and lipid metabolism pathways, alongside shifts in biomarkers related to arachidonic acid metabolism. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed the downregulation of critical genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as the suppression of uterine smooth muscle contractions and lipid overaccumulation. These findings support the potential of 630 nm PW PBM as a viable option for clinical interventions in dysmenorrhea management.

Danggui Buxue decoction alleviates primary dysmenorrhea in rats by regulating the MEK1/2/ERK1/2/NF-κB pathway

The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD) in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) and uncover its mechanisms, thereby validating its traditional use. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), 38 compounds in DBD were identified. PD model rats were established via cold stimulation, estradiol benzoate, and oxytocin injections. DBD treatment improved behavioral parameters, reduced writhing response, and alleviated histopathological changes in uterus and ovary. Biochemical markers (PGE2, SOD and MDA, among others) were assessed using ELISA, and Western blot was employed to analyze protein levels in rat uteri. Results showed that DBD modulated these proteins, indicating its protective effects. The study provides scientific evidence for DBD's role in nourishing "qi" or enriching "blood" during PD treatment by affecting the MEK1/2/ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus reducing oxidative stress and proinflammatory factors in PD rats.

Treatment Strategies for Painful Pelvic Floor Conditions: A Focus on the Potential Benefits of Cannabidiol

Painful conditions of the pelvic floor include a set of disorders of the pelvic region, discreetly prevalent in the female population, in which pain emerges as the predominant symptom. Such disorders have a significant impact on quality of life as they impair couple relationships and promote states of anxiety and irascibility in affected individuals. Although numerous treatment approaches have been proposed for the management of such disorders, there is a need to identify strategies to promote muscle relaxation, counter pelvic pain, and reduce inflammation. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) represents a complex system spread throughout the body and is involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes representing a potential therapeutic target for mood and anxiety disorders as well as pain management. Cannabidiol (CBD), acting on the ECS, can promote relief from hyperalgesia and allodynia typical of disorders affecting the pelvic floor and promote muscle relaxation by restoring balance to this delicate anatomical region. However, its use is currently limited due to a lack of evidence supporting its efficacy and harmlessness, and the mechanism of action on the ECS remains partially unexplored to this day. This comprehensive review of the literature examines the impact of pain disorders affecting the pelvic floor and major treatment approaches and brings together the main evidence supporting CBD in the management of such disorders.

The synergistic effect of pulsed red light and leonurus inhibits primary dysmenorrhea induced by oxytocin in mice by modulating calcium signaling and inhibiting inflammatory responses

Despite increasing evidence suggesting that red light photobiomodulation (R-PBM) and leonurus play important roles in analgesic and anti-inflammatory processes, data on their combined effect on primary dysmenorrhea (PD) are scarce. In this study, we reported the pain assessment of red light at various modes combined with leonurus on the oxytocin-induced model of PD mice. The combined intervention of pulsed R-PBM and leonurus decreased pain responses and PGF2α/PGE2 levels, alleviated uterine swelling and inflammatory infiltration, enhanced antioxidant levels (T-AOC, GSH-PX, SOD), and reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA, LPO) in the uterus, with its synergistic effect surpassing either treatment alone or the combination of continuous wave R-PBM with leonurus. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated significant changes in differentially expressed genes associated with calcium signaling (Cav1, Cacna1c, Kcnmb1, Cnn1, and Myh11) and inflammatory response (Ptgs2, Jun, Fos, IL1rn, and IL17b) in the combination group, with concurrent downregulation of MLCK, COX-2, p-JNK/JNK, and IL17b protein levels, and upregulation of IL1rn, suggesting that the combined intervention of pulsed R-PBM and leonurus may alleviate pain through disruption of calcium homeostasis and induction of ROS-mediated inflammatory responses. Metabolomics studies of plasma revealed significant changes in lipid metabolism after the combined intervention, consistent with the transcriptomic findings. Hence, pulsed R-PBM combined leonurus has the potential to be an effective therapeutic approach for PD, as well as an alternative option for painful and inflammatory diseases; however, further exploration of its underlying mechanism is still necessary.

A comprehensive review of traditional Chinese medicine in treating neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common, intractable chronic pain caused by nerve dysfunction and primary lesion of the nervous system. The etiology and pathogenesis of NP have not yet been clarified, so there is a lack of precise and effective clinical treatments. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown increasing advantages in alleviating NP. Our review aimed to define the therapeutic effect of TCM (including TCM prescriptions, TCM extracts and natural products from TCM) on NP and reveal the underlying mechanisms. Literature from 2018 to 2024 was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google academic and CNKI databases. Herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), neuropathic pain, neuralgia and peripheral neuropathy were used as the search terms. The anti-NP activity of TCM is clarified to propose strategies for discovering active compounds against NP, and provide reference to screen anti-NP drugs from TCM. We concluded that TCM has the characteristics of multi-level, multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway, which can alleviate NP through various pathways such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic pathway, regulating autophagy, regulating intestinal flora, and influencing ion channels. Based on the experimental study and anti-NP mechanism of TCM, this paper can offer analytical evidence to support the effectiveness in treating NP. These references will be helpful to the research and development of innovative TCM with multiple levels and multiple targets. TCM can be an effective treatment for NP and can serve as a treasure house for new drug development.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of tonic Chinese herbal medicine for gynecological disorders: An updated review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gynecological disorders have the characteristics of high incidence and recurrence rate, which sorely affects female's health. Since ancient times, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), especially tonic medicine (TM), has been used to deal with gynecological disorders and has unique advantages in effectiveness and safety.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

In this article, we aim to summarize the research progress of TMs in-vivo and in-vitro, including their formulas, single herbs, and compounds, for gynecological disorders treatment in recent years, and to offer a reference for further research on the treatment of gynecological disorders and their clinical application in the treatment of TMs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information on the therapeutic potential of TMs against gynecological disorders was collected from several scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar and other literature sources.

RESULTS

So far, there are 46 different formulas, 3 single herbs, and 24 compounds used in the treatment of various gynecological disorders such as premature ovarian failure, endometriosis breast cancer, and so on. Many experimental results have shown that TMs can regulate apoptosis, invasion, migration, oxidative stress, and the immune system. In addition, the effect of TMs in gynecological disorders treatment may be due to the regulation of VEGF, PI3K-AKT, MAPK, NF-κB, and other signaling pathways. Apparently, TMs play an active role in the treatment of gynecological disorders by regulating these signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

TMs have a curative effect on the prevention and treatment of gynecological disorders. It could relieve and treat gynecological disorders through a variety of pathways. Therefore, the appropriate TM treatment program makes it more possible to treat gynecological disorders.

Natural L-type calcium channels antagonists from Chinese medicine

L-type calcium channels (LTCCs), the largest subfamily of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), are the main channels for Ca2+ influx during extracellular excitation. LTCCs are widely present in excitable cells, especially cardiac and cardiovascular smooth muscle cells, and participate in various Ca2+-dependent processes. LTCCs have been considered as worthy drug target for cardiovascular, neurological and psychological diseases for decades. Natural products from Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have shown the potential as new drugs for the treatment of LTCCs related diseases. In this review, the basic structure, function of LTCCs, and the related human diseases caused by structural or functional abnormalities of LTCCs, and the natural LTCCs antagonist and their potential usages were summarized.

Effect of photobiomodulation on alleviating primary dysmenorrhea caused by PGF2α

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has attracted widespread attention in suppressing various pain and inflammation. Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) primarily occurs in adolescents and adult females, and the limited effectiveness and side effects of conventional treatments have highlighted the urgent need to develop and identify new adjunct therapeutic strategies. In this work, the results of pain and PGs demonstrated that 850 nm, 630 nm, and 460 nm all exhibited pain inhibition, decreased PGF2α and upregulated PGE2, while 630 nm PBM has better effectiveness. Then to explore the underlying biological mechanisms of red light PBM on PD, we irradiated prostaglandin-F2α induced HUSM cells and found that low-level irradiance can restore intracellular calcium ion, ROS, ATP, and MMP levels to normal levels. And, red light enhanced cell viability and promoted cell proliferation for normal HUSM cells. Therefore, this study proposes that red light PBM may be a promising approach for the future clinical treatment of PD.

Effect of Guizhi Fuling Wan in primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW) is one of the most widely known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations that has long been used in China for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD). However, the quality of evidence is limited and there are few studies on specific TCM syndromes of GFW for PD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of GFW on PD patients with the heat-burning blood-stasis syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible patients were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups to receive GFW or the placebo twice daily for three menstrual cycles with a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was the baseline-to-month 6 change in pain intensity measured by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes included the changes in the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the TCM syndrome scale from baseline to month 6. Additionally, adverse effect was assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 353 patients were screened for eligibility and 128 were randomly assigned, of whom 121 completed all treatments and follow-ups. In both the full analysis (FAS) and the per-protocol analysis (PPS), the VAS score of pain intensity decreased significantly more in the GFW group than in the placebo group from baseline to month 6 (P < 0.01). Similarly, the decrease in CMSS, SAS and TCM syndrome scores was greater in the GFW group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.01). There were no differences in SDS scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). In addition, no serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that GFW significantly alleviated the severity of menstrual pain in PD patients with the heat-burning blood-stasis syndrome without significant adverse effects.

The therapeutic mechanism of Curcumae Radix against primary dysmenorrea based on 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK and fatty acids metabolomics

Background:Curcumae Radix (CW) is traditionally used to treat primary dysmenorrea (PD). However, the mechanisms of action of CW in the treatment of PD have not yet been comprehensively resolved.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of CW on PD and its possible mechanisms of action.

Methods: An isolated uterine spastic contraction model induced by oxytocin was constructed in an in vitro pharmacodynamic assay. An animal model of PD induced by combined estradiol benzoate and adrenaline hydrochloride-assisted stimulation was established. After oral administration of CW, a histopathological examination was performed and biochemical factor levels were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CW on PD. The chemical compositions of the drug-containing serum and its metabolites were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology and serum untargeted metabolomics were used to predict the mechanism of CW treatment for PD, and the predicted results were validated by RT-qPCR, WB, and targeted fatty acid (FA) metabolism.

Results:In vitro, CW can relax an isolated uterus by reducing uterine motility. In vivo, the results showed that CW attenuated histopathological damage in the uterus and regulated PGF2α, PGE2, β-EP, 5-HT, and Ca2+ levels in PD rats. A total of 66 compounds and their metabolites were identified in the drug-containing serum, and the metabolic pathways of these components mainly included hydrogenation and oxidation. Mechanistic studies showed that CW downregulated the expression of key genes in the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK pathway, such as 5-HTR2A, IP3R, PKC, cALM, and ERK. Similarly, CW downregulated the expression of key proteins in the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK pathway, such as p-ERK/ERK. Indirectly, it ameliorates the abnormal FA metabolism downstream of this signaling pathway in PD rats, especially the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA).

Conclusion: The development of PD may be associated with the inhibition of the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK signaling pathway and FA metabolic pathways, providing a basis for the subsequent exploitation of CW.

UPLC-Q-TOF/MS Based Plasma Metabolomics for Identification of Paeonol's Metabolic Target in Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common gynecological illness in women of reproductive age that significantly decreases life quality and fertility. Paeonol has been shown to play an important part in endometriosis treatments. Understanding the mechanism is critical for treating endometriosis. In this study, autologous transplantation combined with a 28 day ice water bath was used to create a rat model of endometriosis with cold clotting and blood stagnation. The levels of estradiol and progesterone in plasma were detected by ELISA, and the pathological changes of ectopic endometrial tissue were examined by H&E staining, which proved the efficacy of paeonol. For metabolomic analysis of plasma samples, UPLC-Q/TOF-MS was combined with multivariate statistical analysis to identify the influence of paeonol on small molecule metabolites relevant to endometriosis. Finally, the key targets were screened using a combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches. The results showed that the pathological indexes of rats were improved and returned to normal levels after treatment with paeonol, which was the basis for confirming the efficacy of paeonol. Metabolomics results identified 13 potential biomarkers, and paeonol callbacks 7 of them, involving six metabolic pathways. Finally, four key genes were found for paeonol therapy of endometriosis, and the results of molecular docking revealed a significant interaction between paeonol and the four key genes. This study was successful in establishing a rat model of endometriosis with cold coagulation and blood stagnation. GCH1, RPL8, PKLR, and MAOA were the key targets of paeonol in the treatment of endometriosis. It is also demonstrated that metabolomic techniques give the potential and environment for comprehensively understanding drug onset processes.

Dysmenorrhoea: Can Medicinal Cannabis Bring New Hope for a Collective Group of Women Suffering in Pain, Globally?

Dysmenorrhoea effects up to 90% of women of reproductive age, with medical management options including over-the-counter analgesia or hormonal contraception. There has been a recent surge in medicinal cannabis research and its analgesic properties. This paper aims to critically investigate the current research of medicinal cannabis for pain relief and to discuss its potential application to treat dysmenorrhoea. Relevant keywords, including medicinal cannabis, pain, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol, dysmenorrhoea, and clinical trial, have been searched in the PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library (Wiley) databases and a clinical trial website (clinicaltrials.gov). To identify the relevant studies for this paper, 84 papers were reviewed and 20 were discarded as irrelevant. This review critically evaluated cannabis-based medicines and their mechanism and properties in relation to pain relief. It also tabulated all clinical trials carried out investigating medicinal cannabis for pain relief and highlighted the side effects. In addition, the safety and toxicology of medicinal cannabis and barriers to use are highlighted. Two-thirds of the clinical trials summarised confirmed positive analgesic outcomes, with major side effects reported as nausea, drowsiness, and dry mouth. In conclusion, medicinal cannabis has promising applications in the management of dysmenorrhoea. The global medical cannabis market size was valued at USD 11.0 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.06% from 2022 to 2030. This will encourage academic as well as the pharmaceutical and medical device industries to study the application of medical cannabis in unmet clinical disorders.

Paeonol inhibits chronic constriction injury-induced astrocytic activation and neuroinflammation in rats via the HDAC/miR-15a pathway

Neuropathic pain affects millions of people in the worldwide, but the major therapeutics perform limited effectiveness. Paeonol (PAE) is widely distributed in Paeonis albiflora, and has manifested anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in multiple diseases. The present study aims to elucidate the effect of Paeonol (PAE) on neuropathic pain (NP) and the potential targets. Chronic constriction injury model was established to mimic NP in vivo in rats. The expression of GFAP, HDAC2, AHDAC3, Ac-H3K9, Histone-H3, Ac-H4K12, Histone-H4, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Ultimately, results indicated that intervention of PAE significantly blocked neuroinflammation and astrocytic activation via blocking HDAC/miR-15a signaling in CCI rats. These data revealed PAE is a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Efficacy of Guizhi Fuling Wan for primary dysmenorrhea: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the main gynecological complaints in women of child-bearing age, but limited effective treatments are available. Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW), one of the most widely known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations, has been commonly used in clinical practice to treat gynecological disorders in China. In recent years, a growing number of studies have shown that GFW is beneficial for patients with PD. However, the quality of evidence is limited, and there are few studies on specific TCM syndromes of GFW for PD. Therefore, we plan to conduct a randomized controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of GFW for PD patients with heat-burning blood-stasis syndrome.

Methods and analysis

The clinical study is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to the GFW group (treated with GFW) and the control group (treated with a matching placebo) in a 1:1 ratio for three menstrual cycles with a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be the mean change of pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes will include the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the TCM syndrome scale. Adverse events will also be reported.

Discussion

This randomized trial will be the first rigorous study designed to assess the efficacy and safety of GFW in treating PD with heat-burning blood-stasis syndrome. The finding of this study will provide an objective clinical basis for the use of GFW for PD in the future.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000034118. Registered on 24 June 2020

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05834-0.

Salvia sclarea L. Essential Oil Extract and Its Antioxidative Phytochemical Sclareol Inhibit Oxytocin-Induced Uterine Hypercontraction Dysmenorrhea Model by Inhibiting the Ca2+-MLCK-MLC20 Signaling Cascade: An Ex Vivo and In Vivo Study

Salvia sclarea essential oil is used as an aromatic therapy for dysmenorrhea. Sclareol—one of the natural products isolated from S. sclarea—displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; however, researchers have not yet evaluated the mechanism related to the pain-relieving effect of sclareol. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential effect of sclareol in ex vivo and in vivo dysmenorrhea models, as well as its possible mechanism. In the ex vivo study of uterine tissue from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, the uterine contraction amplitude was observed and recorded. In the in vivo study, we measured the uterine contraction pressure of SD rats and performed writhing tests on mice. The uterine tissues from the writhing test subjects were collected and analyzed by Western blot. The results demonstrated that sclareol inhibited prostaglandin (PG) F_2α-, oxytocin-, acetylcholine-, carbachol-, KCl-, and Bay K 8644-induced uterine contraction and possessed an analgesic effect in the writhing test. Sclareol affects the Ca²⁺ level and regulates oxytocin receptor (OTR), myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p-p38, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and phospho-myosin light chain 20 (p-MLC20) protein expression. Integrating these results, we suggest that sclareol is a potential alternative supplement for dysmenorrhea.

NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 attenuates primary dysmenorrhea in mice via the NF-κB/COX-2/PG pathway

Background

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) constitutes a common gynecological disease among young women. The NLRP3 inflammasome may be activated and expressed in PD, but the mechanistic link between NLRP3 inflammasome activation and PD is still unclear.

Methods

To investigate the potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of PD, 30 female Kunming mice without pregnancy were used for experiments. The PD mouse model was constructed by 11 days of successive co-treatment with estradiol and oxytocin. MCC950, a potent and specific small-molecule inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, was used to treat PD mice. The disease level was assessed by the writhing response and hot water tail-flick test. The levels of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and prostaglandin F₂ alpha (PGF_2α) in the uterine tissues of mice were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of protein and cytokines, including NLRP3, cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease 1 (caspase-1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, phospho-NF-κB p65, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were revealed by western blot analysis.

Results

MCC950 greatly ameliorated the writhing response induced by the combination of oxytocin and estradiol, with an increasing length of tail-flick latency. MCC950 also significantly decreased the levels of PGF_2α and PGE₂, and the expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, phospho-NF-κB p65, NF-κB p65, and COX-2 in the uterus.

Conclusions

MCC950 markedly alleviated the pain and pathological damage in PD mice by inhibiting NLRP3 activation. The underlying mechanism may be related to hypoactive uterine inflammation via suppression of NLRP3 activation and the NF-κB/COX-2/PG pathway in uteruses of PD mice.