Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effects of baicalin on TLR2 and TLR4 expression in cervical tissue of gential tract Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct) infected mice. METHODS: Female C57BL/ 6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into azithromycin group, model group, high concentrations of baicalin group, the concentration of baicalin group and low concentrations of baicalin group. Seven days before inoculation with Ct through vagina, progesterone was administered to all the experimental mice by subcutaneous injection. The numbers of Ct shedding from genital tract were evaluated between the five groups. Twenty seven days after infection, cervical tissue were taken and expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were determined by RT-PCR or Western blot. RESULTS: On the 3rd and 6th day after infection, the amount of Ct in vaginal tract in model group was higher than those in the other groups. After baicalin treatment, the amount of Ct in vaginal tract in the drug groups was lower than that in the model group. The amount of Ct in vaginal tract in the azithromycin group and high concentrations of baicalin group were significantly decreased. Meanwhile, baicalin also reduced the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in cervical tissue. CONCLUSION: Baicalin effectively blocks high expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in cervical tissue of gential tract chlamydia-infected mice. This is probably the mechanism of baicalin in ameliorating Chlamydia trachomatis-infected mice.

Key words: Baicalin, Chlamydia trachomatis, TLR2, TLR4