Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis (Endo) involves inflammation and angiogenesis within lesions, potentially causing embryo implantation failure. Paeonia lactiflora (PL) root exhibits anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. This experiment investigated the therapeutic effects of PL on endometriotic lesion atrophy and embryo implantation following in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: Female mice (n=32) were allocated into treatment and sham groups. Endo was induced through xenograft transplantation of rat endometrium to anterior abdominal walls of recipient (Endo) mice. PL root was extracted, phytochemically characterized, and orally administered (1.06 mg PL/20 g mouse) for 17 consecutive days. Through IVF, cultured mouse embryos were implanted into Endo mouse uteri. Ten days post-IVF, samples were collected, including intra-abdominal fluid for measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Embryo-containing uteri underwent trypan blue staining, while uterus fragments were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and analyzed for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The number of embryo implantation sites and diameter of endometriotic lesions were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 19, with p-values <0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: Following Endo induction, TNF-α and VEGF levels and lesion diameter increased (p<0.05). LIF gene expression and embryo implantation rate decreased (p<0.05). After PL extract administration to Endo mice, TNF-α levels, VEGF levels, and lesion diameter decreased (p<0.05), while LIF gene expression and implantation rate increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: PL extract (1.06 mg/20 g mouse) decreases TNF-α and VEGF levels, suppressing inflammation and angiogenesis and causing endometriotic lesion atrophy. Furthermore, PL increases uterine LIF gene expression, promoting successful implantation post-IVF in Endo mice.