Investigation of Mechanism of Premature Ovarian Failure Regulation by Kidney-tonifying Herbs and Liver-clearing Herbs in Dingjing Decoction

Objective To investigate the mechanisms through which kidney-tonifying herbs (KTHs) and liver-clearing herbs (LCHs) in Dingjing Decoction (DJD) regulate premature ovarian failure (POF). Methods One hundred and fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups such as control, model, KTHs, LCHs, and DJD groups. POF-related biological molecules were examined. Factor analysis was performed to investigate the regulatory networks and key biomolecules involved in mediating POF after treatment with KTHs and LCHs. Results The master regulatory factors in the reproductive endocrine network associated with KTHs intervention included four molecules in the pituitary-ovarian axis, cortisol (CORT) in the target gland of pituitary-adrenal axis, and some molecules in the hypothalamus. In contrast, the master regulatory factors associated with LCHs intervention included four molecules in the pituitary-ovarian axis and some molecules in the hypothalamus; No biomolecules in the pituitary-adrenal axis were involved in the LCH-mediated mechanisms. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which was identified as a common biological molecule in the hypothalamus, was involved in regulating the reproductive endocrine network in association with KTHs intervention. Conclusion KTHs directly regulates biological molecules in the pituitary-adrenal axis and indirectly regulates those in the pituitary-adrenal axis through the hypothalamus, while the LCHs only exert its effects indirectly. GnRH is the key biological molecule associated with KTHs intervention.