Effect of Pulsatilla decoction on vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice. Evidences for its mechanisms of action.
Phytomedicine
; 128: 155515, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38484624
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection that affects the female reproductive tract. Pulsatilla decoction (PD), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is a classic and effective prescription for VVC. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear.PURPOSE:
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and potential mechanism of action of the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD) in VVC treatment.METHODS:
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the main active ingredients in BEPD. A VVC-mouse model was constructed using an estrogen-dependent method to evaluate the efficacy of BEPD in VVC treatment. Fungal burden and morphology in the vaginal cavity were comprehensively assessed. Candida albicans-induced inflammation was examined in vivo and in vitro. The effects of BEPD on the Protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) /NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4)/Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) axis were analyzed using by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), western blot (WB), and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).RESULTS:
BEPD inhibited fungal growth in the vagina of VVC mice, preserved the integrity of the vaginal mucosa, and suppressed inflammatory responses. Most importantly, BEPD activated the "silent" PKCδ/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis and negatively regulated NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, thereby exerting a therapeutic efficacy on VVC.CONCLUSIONS:
BEPD effects on mice with VVC were dose-dependent. BEPD protects against VVC by inhibiting inflammatory response and NLRP3 inflammasome via the activation of the PKCδ/NLRC4/IL-1Ra axis. This study revealed the pharmacological mechanism of BEPD in VVC treatment and provided further evidence for the application of BEPD in VVC treatment.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal
/
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
/
Pulsatilla
/
Disease Models, Animal
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Phytomedicine
Journal subject:
TERAPIAS COMPLEMENTARES
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: