Bioactivity evaluation of Siwu Decoction and its derived formulaes in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (I)

Aim:To investigate the bioactivity of the Siwu Decoction and its derived formulaes in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, including basic formula Siwu Decoction (SW) and its developed formulaes such as Taohong Siwu Decoction (TH), Xiangfu Siwu Decoction (XF), Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction (SF), Qinlian Siwu Decoction (QL), and to explore the bioactivity of ‘bio-compatibility’ in these formulaes. Methods: Isolated uterine contraction model induced by oxytocine was used to observe the inhibitory effect of Siwu Decoction and its derived formulaes. The method for screening COX-2 inhibitors was used to evaluate the COX-2 inhibitory activity of those formulas. In vitro platelet aggregation was used to assess their effects on platelets. Results: SW notablely inhibited the frequency of uterine contraction, but it was found that the total activity was reduced. QL not only inhibited the frequency and the total activity of uterine contraction, but also weakened the mean contraction force. TH and SF inhibited the frequency, the amplitude and the mean contraction force, resultin g in the decreased total activity of uterine contraction. Data showed that XF yielded the strongest inhibitory effects on the frequency, the amplitude and the mean contraction force of uterine contraction. The total activity of uterine contraction was decreased. COX-2 inhibitory activities of those formulae was ranked in the order of QL XF SF TH SW. Their inhibitory activities on the platelet aggregation were ranked in the order of THSWXFSFQL. Conclusion: The Basic formula Siwu Decoction and its developed formulae in the treatment of the syndromes of primary dysmenorrheal show different compatible characteristics. These results provide evidences in support of the ‘formula related to syndrome’ theory of traditional Chinese medicines.