Bu Shen Zhu Yun Decoction Improves Endometrial Receptivity via VEGFR-2-Mediated Angiogenesis

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine Vol. 2019; no. 2019; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: He, Ming, Geng, Dandan, Wei, Xuecong, Jiang, Huabo, Li, Li, Du, Huilan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2019; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Amino acids; Analysis; Angiogenesis; Antioxidants; Assaying; Cell proliferation; Chinese medicine; Cyclin D1; Digital cameras; Embryonic development; Endometrium; Endothelial cells; Endothelium; Flavonoids; Fluorides; Gelatinase B; Implantation; In vitro fertilization; Kinases; MAP kinase; Matrix metalloproteinase; Metalloproteinase; Microvasculature; Mitogens; Oils & fats; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Protein kinase; Protein kinases; Proteins; Signal transduction; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors; China; United States > US
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/3949824

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) regulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and plays an important role in angiogenesis. Bu Shen Zhu Yun decoction (BSZYD) can improve endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation rates in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. However, whether BSZYD improves endometrial receptivity via angiogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of BSZYD on the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of human endometrial microvascular endothelial cells (HEMECs) and found that BSZYD upregulated the expression of cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HEMECs. Cell Counting Kit 8 assay, scratch-wound assay, and Tube Formation Assay results showed that BSZYD promoted the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HEMECs. Western blot analysis results revealed the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway by BSZYD through the upregulation of VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression. Together, these findings highlight the novel mechanism underlying BSZYD-mediated improvement in endometrial receptivity through the MAPK signaling pathway.