Effects of Litchi chinensis Seed Saponins on Inhibiting Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands and Influence on Signaling Pathway of Estrogen in Rats

To discuss the role of Litchi chinensis seed saponins on hyperplasia of mammary glands(HMG) and the influence of estrogen signaling pathways in rats.In addition to eight non-pregnant female SD rats in normal control group, the other 32 pathologic models of HMG rat model were randomly divided into other four groups: model control group, low and high dose groups, which were given experimental drug of Litchi chinensis seed saponins (LSE) 0. 1 g/kg and 0. 2 g/kg, and the positive control group with experimental drug of tamoxifen 4 mg/kg. Then all model rats were orally administrated for four weeks. The diameter and height of nipple were measured, and the content changes of estradiol(E2) and progestrogen(P) in serum were detected with ELISA method. The HMG were detected by the morphology examination. The expression of estrogen receptor(ER) and progesterone receptor(PR) in the mammary glands were investigated by immunohistochemical staining.According to LSE in the low and high dose groups, it was discovered that the nipple diameter and height of HMG rats, the expression of ER and PR in HMG and the content of serum E2 were reduced, the content of serum P were improved, and the hyperplasia of mammary glands was inhibited.LSE can obviously inhibit the rat hyperplasia of mammary gland, and its possible mechanism is related to adjusting the transduction pathway of estrogen signal to lower estrogen levels.