Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected via the tail vein (0.1 μg per mouse) to induce abortion (embryo resorption) in Kunming mice. The interleukin 10 (IL-10) contents in the uterus was assayed by ELISA. The results revealed that the IL-10 level was significantly decreased in the LPS-induced abortion group of mice compared with the controls. Use of pentoxifylline, or a combination of Radix scutellariae and Rhizoma atractylodis reversed the LPS effects: bringing down the fetal resorption rate, and enhancing the IL-10 level significantly. The study indicates that the anti-abortive effects of PXF and the combination of Radix scutellariae and Rhizoma atractylodis are closely related to up-regulation of the Th2 cytokine IL-10 at the maternal fetal interface.
Water extract of Cortex toosendan (1∶1) was given by oral admistration to the pregnant mice on day 7 in order to study its toxicity. Embryo livability was examined. The natural killer cells in the uterine decidua were detected by immunohistochemistry. The Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α in the uterine lysates were analyzed by ELISA. The results showed that Cortex toosendan is toxic to embryo, and that the toxicity is related to the enhancement of Th1 responses at the maternal-fetal interface, with the increase of NK cell counts, IFN-γ and TNF-α concentrations in pregnant uterus.
