The aim of the present study was to explore whether acupuncture may improve the absorption of
baicalin from the extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in rats with pelvic
inflammation. 24 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into groups A (a combination of
oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts and acupuncture), B (
oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts), C (model group) and D (normal control group), with 6 rats in each group.
After treatment, the plasma concentration of
baicalin was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the serum levels of
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (
TNF-alpha) and
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) were detected with
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the plasma concentration of
baicalin in group A was significantly higher than in group B, and the serum levels of
TNF-alpha and
IL-6 in group A were significantly lower than in group B. This indicates that acupuncture at certain
acupoints may significantly improve the curative effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in rats with pelvic
inflammation by enhancing the absorption of
baicalin from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts.