OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of Lichong decoction(LD) from Traditional Chinese Medicine,on micro-angiogenesis in a mouse model of hysteromyoma.METHODS: A mouse model of hysteromyoma was developed by orthotopic intrauterine injection of primary human myoma cells isolated from patients from the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital into CB-17 Scid mice. Mice were administered high-dose LD, low-dose LD, mifepristone or water(control) daily by gavage for 4 weeks. Uterine diameter and coefficient(uterine weight/body weight)were measured. Uterine morphology was assessed by light microscopy(hematoxylin and eosin) and transmission electron microscopy. Serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone(LH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Uterine protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor(HIF)-1α, CD31 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemistry. VEGF and HIF-1α m RNAs were quantified by RT-PCR.RESULTS: High-dose LD, low-dose LD and mifepristone reduced uterine diameter and coefficient, and attenuated the morphologic abnormalities associated with hysteromyoma. High-dose LD, low-dose LD and mifepristone inhibited hysteromyoma-induced micro-angiogenesis, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of new microvessels co-immunostaining for CD31 and PCNA(P < 0.01).High-dose LD and mifepristone lowered serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and LH(P < 0.05).High-dose LD, low-dose LD and mifepristone down-regulated HIF-1α m RNA and protein expressions and VEGF m RNA expression(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: The inhibition of hysteromyoma by LD may involve reductions in HIF-1α and VEGF expression and suppression of micro-angiogenesis.