The endothelial protein C receptor plays an essential role in the maintenance of pregnancy

Placenta-mediated pregnancy complications are a major challenge in the management of maternal-fetal health. Maternal thrombophilia is a suspected risk factor, but the role of thrombotic processes in these complications has remained unclear. Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is an anticoagulant protein highly expressed in the placenta. EPCR autoantibodies and gene variants are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. In mice, fetal EPCR deficiency results in placental failure and in utero death. We show that inhibition of molecules involved in thrombin generation or in the activation of maternal platelets allows placental development and embryonic survival. Nonetheless, placentae exhibit venous thrombosis in uteroplacental circulation associated with neonatal death. In contrast, maternal EPCR deficiency results in clinical and histological features of placental abruption and is ameliorated with concomitant Par4 deficiency. Our findings unveil a causal link between maternal thrombophilia, uterine hemorrhage, and placental abruption and identify Par4 as a potential target of therapeutic intervention.

Symptoms of Uterine Dystemperament in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding from Perspective of Persian Medicine

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) is the most common reason for women’s medical referral in the reproductive age. In Persian Medicine, one of the major causes of this disorder is known as uterine dystemperament (Su-e-Mizaj). AUB is known as “Kesrat-e Tams” in this medical school. We aimed to investigate the frequency of positive symptoms of uterine dystemperament in patients with AUB from the perspective of Persian Medicine. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2009 to September 2010 in Tehran, Iran. It comprised 70 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding who were 15-45 years old. Data were collected by a questionnaire prepared based on the textbooks of Persian Medicine. The frequency of each symptom of uterine dystemperament was obtained. Among the four uterine dystemperaments, the “dry” and “warm” uterine types had the highest rankings. In patients with excess uterine hemorrhage, the symptoms of warm uterine is more frequent than cold uterine. Meanwhile, the warm uterine dystemperament interference was also observed in excess uterine hemorrhage.

A review on biological effects of Lamium album (white dead nettle) and its components

Lamium album, commonly known as white dead nettle, is a plant in the family of Lamiaceae. This plant is distributed all over Asia, Europe, and Africa. In the traditional medicine of Asia, it has been used for the treatment of a number of diseases such as trauma, fracture, paralysis, leucorrhoea, hypertension women’s pain, uterine hemorrhage, menorrhagia, vaginal and cervical inflammation. In recent years, L. album has been the subject of intensive experimental studies to evaluate its traditional use to reveal new biological properties. A wide range of pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties have been reported by these studies. This review presents an up-to-date overview of the current literature on the pharmacological and physiological effects of L. album. Also, phytochemical constituents responsible for the biological properties of L. album are presented and discussed.