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.
