GC-MS analysis of Cocus nucifera flower extract and its effects on heterogeneous symptoms of polycystic ovarian disease in female Wistar rats

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Cocus nucifera L. flowers in reducing the major multiple symptoms of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) in female rats. METHOD: Female, virgin Wistar rats were treated with letrozole(1 mg/kg body wt) to induce PCOD, and after 21 days of induction rats were administered orally with 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 of Cocus nucifera flower aqueous extract, respectively. Estrus cycle and blood sugar were monitored once a week throughout the study. After scarification, various biochemical parameters, such as antioxidant status(superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione reductase(GSH)) of the uterus homogenate, lipid profile(total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein(HDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL), and triglycerides(TG)) of the serum were determined. Weights of the uterus and ovaries were separately monitored. The characteristics of changes in the ovary were evaluated by histopathological studies. RESULTS: GC-MS analysis of the aqueous extract showed the presence of volatile and pharmacologically active phytoconstituents. C. nucifera flower extract-treated groups showed estrus cyclicity and increased uterus weight which indicates the estrogenic effect. The improved blood sugar level, ideal lipid profile, good antioxidant status, and histopathology results revealed the recovery from poly cystic ovaries. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that C. nucifera flower is a potential medicine for the treatment of PCOD and this study supports the traditional uses of C. nucifera flower.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）for women with diminished ovarian reserve（DOR）.Methods A literature search was conducted in eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials.Results Seventeen randomized controlled trials involving 1174 patients were included.Meta-analysis indicated that TCM was superior to Western medicine（WM）in reducing basal serum FSH level[MD=-1.70,95%CI（-2.63,-0.77）;P=0.0004]and FSH/LH（MD=-0.43,95%CI[-0.56,-0.30];P=0.0001）,and the effect was more obvious two months after the last treatment（MD=-4.60,95%CI[-6.26,-2.90],P〈0.000 01 and MD=-0.56,95%CI[-0.85,-0.28],P=0.0001）,and increasing antral follicle count（AFC）（MD=0.44,95%CI[0.04-0.83];P=0.03）.The review also revealed the positive role of CMM as an adjuvant to IVF-ET in improving pregnancy rate（PR=1.75,95%CI[1.25,2.46];P=0.001）.Conclusion TCM,with its unique way of replenishing the kidney,may provide an effective and safe alternative therapy to patients with DOR.

Dual role for the unfolded protein response in the ovary： adaption and apoptosis

The endoplasmic reticulum （ER） is the principal organelle responsible for several specific cellular functions including synthesis and folding of secretory or membrane proteins, lipid metabolism, and Ca^2＋ storage. Different physiological as well as pathological stress conditions can, however, perturb ER homeostasis, giving rise to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen, a condition termed ER stress. To deal with an increased folding demand, cells activate the unfolded protein response （UPR）, which is initially protective but can become detrimental if ER stress is severe and prolonged. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a link between the UPR and ovarian development and function, including follicular growth and maturation, follicular atresia, and corpus luteum biogenesis. Additionally, ER stress and the UPR may also play an important role in the ovary under pathological conditions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms related to the dual role of unfolded protein response in the ovarian physiology and pathology may reveal the pathogenesis of some reproductive endocrine diseases and provide a new guidance to improve the assisted reproductive technology. Here we review the current literature and discuss concepts and progress in understanding the UPR, and we also analyze the role of ER stress and the UPR in the ovary.