A novel herbal combination ameliorates ovarian dysfunction and regulates altered biochemical parameters in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective:To investigate the potential activity of novel herbal combination and novel herbal formulation(syrup)in female Sprague Dawley rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:Forty-two rats were randomly divided into seven groups with six rats in each group.Group 1 received 0.5%carboxy methylcellulose orally for 37 days and served as the normal control group.Group 2 was orally administered with letrozole of 1 mg/kg for 21 days and served as the PCOS induction group without treatment.Group 3 to 7 were administered with letrozole of 1 mg/kg for 21 days orally to induce PCOS,and then respectively received clomiphene citrate at 1 mg/kg,100 and 200 mg/kg of novel herbal combination,200 mg/kg of novel herbal formulation(syrup),and 400 mg/kg of marketed formulation of Pushyanuga churna,once daily for 15 days.Effects of the novel herbal combination and its syrup formulation were evaluated on the hormonal profile,the levels of antioxidants,the lipid profile and on the ovarian morphology,using letrozole-induced PCOS model in rats.Results:Letrozole caused alterations in hormonal levels and lipid levels similar to PCOS and ovarian histology showed presence of ovarian cysts confirming the induction of PCOS in rats.On treatment with the novel herbal combination and its syrup formulation in PCOS-induced rats,the altered hormonal and lipid profiles showed significant recovery to normal levels.Ovarian histology confirmed the restoration of folliculogenesis in the PCOS-induced rats.The treatment with the syrup formulation of novel herbal combination was found to be more effective than novel herbal combination and showed better recovery in various parameters evaluated.The results of the study,however,suggested that treatment with novel herbal combination and its syrup formulation provided minimal protection against oxidative stress caused due to the induction of PCOS.Conclusions:The integrated approach for management of PCOS is to counterbalance the limitations associated with modern therapy.Both the novel herbal combination and the syrup formulation of novel herbal combination show efficacy in the management of PCOS in rats and restore folliculogenesis in the ovary.The syrup formulation of novel herbal combination is most effective in the management of PCOS and shows potential to be developed as an adjuvant therapeutic agent.

Anti-androgenic effect of Symplocos racemosa Roxb.against letrozole induced polycystic ovary using rat model

Objective:To investigate the anti-androgenic properties of Symplocos racemosa Roxb.(S.racemosa)in the treatment of hyperandrogenemia associated polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in a letrozole induced PCOS rat model.Methods:The testosterone levels were used to evaluate the anti-androgenic effect of S.racemosa in letrozole induced PCOS rats for 21 d.The low(250 mg/kg),mid(500 mg/kg)and high dose(1000 mg/kg)of S.racemosa was given to the PCOS induced rats for 15 d post letrozole induction to determine the effective dose of S.racemosa in the treatment of hyperandrogenemia associated PCOS.The hormones such as estrogen and progesterone were also assayed along with testosterone to determine the fluctuations in sex steroid levels in PCOS rats induced by letrozole.Results:S.racemosa treatment significantly decreased testosterone levels which were found to be elevated in PCOS rats induced by letrozole.S.racemosa significantly restored other blood biochemical parameters such as estrogen,progesterone and cholesterol levels.It also restored the histology of ovarian tissue.The ovarian weights and uterine weights were also significantly recovered after the S.racemosa treatment.Conclusions:The mid dose(500 mg/kg)and high dose(1000 mg/kg)of S.racemosa were found to be effective in the treatment of hyperandrogenemia in PCOS.This effect of S.racemosa was found to be comparable with clomiphene citrate.Clomiphene citrate which was being used as the major medicine in the treatment of PCOS could now be replaced with S.racemosa in the management of PCOS.