Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) is a major component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a Chinese herb that exhibits a therapeutic effect on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The present study replicated PCOS via the neonatal treatment of estradiol in mice. Estrous cycles, body and ovarian weight, serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were determined. Histological examination of ovaries was performed. The mRNA and protein levels of aromatase luteinizing hormone receptor and follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSHR) in ovaries and granule cells were assayed by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. TSIIA was revealed to reverse all disorders induced by estradiol treatment, including prolonged estrous cycles, increased body and ovarian weight, increased atretic cyst‑like follicles and decreased corpus luteum, large antral follicles and preovulatory follicles. These improvements in PCOS as a result of TSIIA treatment are likely due to the revised testosterone/estradiol balance, as TSIIA reversed the decrease in aromatase mRNA, the enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. As the expression of aromatase is regulated by the FSH pathway, TSIIA‑mediated elevation in FSHR expression may lead to the upregulation of aromatase. Therefore, TSIIA revises the balance of androgen and estrogen by rescuing the reduced expression of FSHR and aromatase, thus attenuating murine PCOS. The current study aimed to further the application of natural drugs in the treatment of PCOS to confront the side effects of hormone drugs and expand the use of TSIIA.
Ovarian cancer (OC) remains highly lethal, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis, peritoneal metastasis, high recurrence rates, and a tumor microenvironment (TME) that suppresses immune responses, limiting treatment efficacy. To address these challenges, this study developed a novel targeted nanoplatform, PPT/FSHB-PNP-SA, to target intraperitoneal OC cells and inhibit there growth. The system utilizes an amphiphilic polymer (PNP-SA) formed by the covalent coupling of bioactive ginseng polysaccharide (PNP) with stearic acid (SA). PNP-SA self-assemble into microspheres, encapsulating the podophyllotoxin (PPT), and is modified with DSPE-PEG 2000 -FSHB on its surface. DSPE-PEG 2000 -FSHB enables the micelles to specifically target OC cells expressing the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). The PPT/FSHB-PNP-SA system exhibits dual anti-tumor effects: (1) PPT directly induces cancer cell apoptosis; (2) The PNP shell actively remodels the immunosuppressive TME by inhibiting immunosuppressive pathways and promoting M1 macrophage polarization. This combined chemotherapy-immunotherapy strategy, which integrates targeted delivery with TME remodeling, offers a promising treatment option for recurrent/resistant OC.
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