Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima and resveratrol on ovarian morphology and biochemical parameters in Letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rat model: An experimental study

Abstract

Background: Resveratrol and Berberis integerrima (B. integerrima) are known to be natural antioxidants and regulators of human metabolism. However, the effects of resveratrol and B. integerrima on the ovarian morphology in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not obvious.
 Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of B. integerrima in combination with resveratrol on some biochemical parameters and ovarian morphology in the letrozole-induced PCOS rat.
 Materials and Methods: Seventy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 10-12 weeks weighing 200 ± 20 gr were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 10/each). Group I): normal; Group II): vehicle; Group III): letrozole-induced PCOS 1 mg/kg letrozole orally, rats receiving 1 cc normal saline orally; Group IV): PCOS + receiving 150 mg/kg metformin orally; Group V): PCOS + receiving 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally; Group VI): PCOS + 3 gr/kg barberry orally; and Group VII): PCOS + receiving 3 gr/kg barberry and 20 mg/kg resveratrol orally. All animals were followed-up for 63 days. The biochemical parameters and histological assessments of ovaries were performed.
 Results: Resveratrol alone and/or in combination with B. integerrima treatment in rats led to a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, malondialdehyde , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations (p = 0.02). The groups IV, V, VI, and VII showed a decrease in insulin resistance and an increase in the superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.01). No significant difference was observed between the level of serum glucose in the treatment groups. Number of cystic follicles had a significant decrease in barberry, resveratrol, and their combination groups (p < 0.001).
 Conclusion: Resveratrol, B. integerrima, and their combination as natural products with fewer side effects might be effective as an alternative medicine in treatment of PCOS.
 Key words: Barberry, Resveratrol, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Ovary, Rat.

Resveratrol Improves Follicular Development of PCOS Rats by Regulating the Glycolytic Pathway

“…Resveratrol (3,4,5‐trihydroxy‐trans‐stilbene, RES) is a non‐flavonoid polyphenolic compound that is present in various plant species including the root of polygonum cuspidate, peanut, and grape skin. [ 13,14 ] RES has several pharmacological effects including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic effects. [ 13,15 ] RES increases insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance.…”

Effects of Resveratrol on Metabolic, Biochemical, and Endocrine Manifestations in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…In the study by Ashkar et al [26] described above, resveratrol-treated rats with induced-PCOS exhibited significantly decreased insulin levels and HOMO-IR scores. However, there were no significant differences in the various treatment groups, suggesting that all treatments were effective in reducing insulin resistance in these model rats.…”

“…In 2020, Ashkar et al [26], conducted a study with seventy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats randomly divided into seven groups: normal, vehicle, letrozole-induced PCOS receiving 1 cc of normal saline orally, PCOS receiving 150 mg/kg of metformin orally, PCOS receiving 20 mg/kg of resveratrol orally, PCOS receiving 3 gr/kg of barberry orally, and PCOS receiving 3 gr/kg of barberry and 20 mg/kg of resveratrol orally. There was no significant difference in the serum glucose levels in the treatment groups, but the resveratrol groups (with or without barberry) showed a decrease in LDL, TG, MDA, and TNF-alpha levels, and a decrease in the number of cystic follicles.…”

“…The resveratrol group was found to have reduced antral follicle counts and significantly decreased plasma AMH and IGF1, as well as reduced superoxide dismutase activity and increased glutathione peroxidase, suggesting that the antioxidant properties of resveratrol allow for it to be an effective treatment for PCOS. Ashkar et al [26] also looked at the MDA and TAC levels in letrozole-induced PCOS rats and found an increase in the SDA and TAC levels overall. Ghowsi et al [25] found resveratrol group had higher levels of liver MDA in PCOS-induced Wister rats (Table 1).…”

Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Healing-Promoting Effects of Aloe vera Extract in the Experimental Colitis in Rats

“…In the last days of research, blood samples were collected and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 min; the serum cytokines including TNF-α (TNF-alpha assay kit, Diaclone, Besançon cedex, France), IL-6 (Interleukin-6 assay kit, ZellBio GmbH, Ulm, Germany), and NO (Nitric oxide assay kit, KNO-96, KiaZist, Bahar, Hamadan, Iran) were determined [44][45][46].…”