Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of the petroleum ether extract ofSemen cuscutae (SCPEE) on β-estradiol 3-benzoate (EB) induced kidney-yang deficiency (KD) by using an animal model. This model was established by daily intraperitoneal injection of EB (4 mg/kg) to ICR male mice for 15 days. To evaluate the SCPEE effect, after the first EB injection, the mice were orally administrated daily by SCPEE (10 ml/kg), and their physiological, kinematic, histological, and biochemical parameters were assessed at the beginning (Day 0) and the end (Day 15) of the experiment. The results showed that the EB injection could induce typical KD symptoms including physiological, kinematic and biochemical disorders of the mice. After SCPEE administration, a positive response against these symptoms was observed, and most of the disorders were recovered completely. This is the first report to demonstrate the significant anti-KD effect of SCPEE, indicating the ether-soluble components of S. cuscutae may have a potential clinical value for KD treatment.

Key words: Semen cuscutae, kidney-yang deficiency, traditional Chinese medicine, β-estradiol 3-benzoate, petroleum ether.