Effects of Fufang Xiaojingtong Capsule on dysmenorrhea induced by oxytocin in rats

AIM: To investigate the analgesic effect and possible mechanism of Fufang Xiaojingtong Capsule(Radix astragali;Radix paeoniae alba,Radix et Rhizoma ginseng,Radix rehmanniae praeparata;Rhizoma chuanxiong)(FFXJTC) on oxytocin-induced dysmenorrhea in rats. METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal control group(control),dysmenorrhea model group(model),high dose(2.0 g/kg),middle dose(1.0 g/kg) and low dose(0.5 g/kg)groups of treatment by FFXJTC,and Tianqi Tongjing Capsule(TQTJC) group(2.0 g/kg).Diethylstilbestrol was continuously subcutaneous injection for 10 d once a day in rats of all groups except rats of control group.FFXJTC was administrated ig for 7 d in rats of all groups except for model group given distillated water.After administration of oxytocin(0.2U) in every rat,the frequency of stretching writhing was recorded within 30 min.The blood was drawn 1 h after administration of oxytocin.The contents of nitric oxide(NO)and malondiadehyde(MDA) and activities of SOD and GSH-PX were respectively determined in serum. The contents of 6-Keto PGF_(1α) and TXB_2 were respectively determined in plasma.Uterus was dissected and homogenated for endothelin(ET-1) measurement. RESULTS: Compared with that of model group,frequency of stretching writhing decreased significantly,the activities of SOD and GSH-PX were markedly enhanced,NO content increased and MDA content decreased in serum,and 6-Keto PGF_(1α) content increased and TXB_2 content decreased in plasma in FFXJTC group. CONCLUSION: FFXJTC has an analgesic effect on dysmenorrhea induced by oxytocin in rats,its mechanism may be related to anti-oxidization,decreasing the contents of TXA_2 and ET-1,increasing the contents of NO and PGI_2.