Effects and mechanisms of <i>Panax notoginseng</i> -steamed chicken on uterine involution in mice

<i>Panax notoginseng</i>-steamed chicken (PNSC) is a common medicinal diet in China. In this study, we conducted comprehensive analysis to determine the effect of PNSC on uterine involution in postpartum mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The role of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in this process was explored. Results showed that PNSC promoted the recovery of endometrial hyperplasia and uterine index in postpartum mice. <i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> experiments indicated that PNSC activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, promoted the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), up-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and its binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Moreover, it increased the expression of <i>PCNA</i>, <i>MMP9</i>, and <i>CyclinD1</i> in the nucleus. It can also up-regulated the secretion of hormones, such as prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P), as well as the level of VEGF in mice, and down-regulated the secretion of endothelin-1 hormones (ET-1), thereby promoting uterine involution. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PNSC can regulate angiogenesis to promote uterine involution by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.