Abstract:Objective:To study the effect of Zitu Erxian Decoction on ovarian apoptosis related-proteins in model rats with premature ovarian insufficiency induced by tripterygium glycosides. Methods:Sixty SD rats were divided into blank group(group N) with 10 rats and model group with 50 rats. Rat model of premature ovarian insufficiency was established by gavage of tripterygium glycosides. After two weeks of modeling,the model group rats were divided into the model group (Group M),the western medicine group (group X),the low-dose Zitu Erxian Decoction group (Group L),the medium-dose Zitu Erxian Decoction group (Group Z), and the high- dose Zitu Erxian Decoction group (Group H), with 10 rats in each group. During the administration period, the estrous cycles of rats in each group were observed. After nine weeks,the changes in uterine indexes and ovarian indexes were observed , western Blot was used to detect the protein contents of B- cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl- 2), Bcl- 2- associated X protein (Bax), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase- 3 ( Caspase- 3),and the Bcl- 2/Bax ratio was calculated. Results: There was no significant difference being found in the comparison of the uterine indexes and ovarian indexes of rats among the groups (P>0.05). Compared with that in Group N,the estrous cycle in rats in Group M was prolonged (P<0.05). Compared with that in Group M,the estrous cycles of rats in Groups X, Z,and H were shortened (P<0.05). There was no significant difference being found in the comparison of estrus cycles among the groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference being found in the comparison of the protein expression levels of Bax among different groups of rats (P>0.05). Compared with those in Group N,the expression levels of Bcl- 2 and Bcl- 2/Bax in Group M were decreased (P<0.05), and the expression level of Caspase- 3 was increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in Group M, the expression levels of Bcl- 2 and Bcl- 2/Bax in Group X, Z, and H were increased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of Caspase- 3 were decreased (P<0.05), while the expression level of Caspase- 3 in Group L was decreased (P<0.05);compared with those in Group X,the expression levels of Bcl- 2 and Bcl-2/Bax in Group L were decreased (P<0.05);compared with those in Group L,the expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax in Group Z and H were increased (P<0.05),and the expression levels of Caspase-3 were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion:Zitu Erxian Decoction can regulate the estrous cycles of model rats with premature ovarian insufficiency induced by tripterygium glycosides,and its mechanism may be closely related to increasing Bcl-2 expression,reducing Caspase-3 expression,and enhancing Bcl-2/Bax.