Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effects of baicalin and to elucidate its immunological modulation at maternal-fetal interface. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was given via intraperitoneal injection to induce embryo implantation failure in mice which received baicalin at days 0.5 to 3.5 of gestation. The IFN-γ/IL-10, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities of uterine and endometrial tissues in each group (n = 16) were detected by ELISA, respectively. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10 and NOS activities increased significantly in the uterus of LPS-induced mice implantation failure and endometrial cells of LPS interference. In the baicalin pretreated mice followed by LPS administration, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10 and NOS activities were normalized by the middle dose baicalin to the control level, significantly lower than LPS treatment group. The same results were received in vitro study of LPS interference endometrial cells. The results indicate that baicalin has protective effects through inhibiting excessive IFN-γ and NO production to modulate the immunological balance at maternal-fetal interface.

Key words: Baicalin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), implantation failure, IFN-γ, IL-10, nitric oxide (NO).