Effect of Vitex negundo L. seeds in letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

The clinical management of PCOS is multifaceted but often unsatisfactory. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of Vitex negundo L. in the letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups, each containing 6 animals. Group I (Control) daily received 1% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) suspension as a vehicle control. Letrozole (1 mg/kg) was administered per orally (p.o) for a period of 21 days for the induction of PCOS in Group II to VI. PCOS induced animals were treated with aqueous (Group III - 200 mg/kg and IV- 400 mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extract (Group V- 200 mg/kg and VI- 400 mg/kg) of Vitex negundo up to 66 days using 0.5% w/v CMC as the vehicle. Body weight and estrous cycle phase were measured every day. Blood samples were collected on 0, 21 and 66 days for the measurement of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, LH, FSH and hormonal level. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed to study insulin resistance effect. Toxicity markers; SGOT, SGPT, and creatinine also measured at the end of the study. The administration of Letrozole led to an abnormality in serum sex steroid profile, lipid profile, glucose and estrous cycle. It was able to successfully exert its protective effect by restoring parameters to the normal level and disappearance of cysts in ovaries. This can be attributed to phyto-components present in the extract. The aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of seeds of Vitex negundo showed significant amelioration of Letrozole induced PCOS.

Abatement of the Stimulatory Effect of Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Titania on Ovarian Cell Functions by Some Plants and Phytochemicals

“…The mechanisms of these buckwheat effects remain unknown. The stimulatory action of vitex on ovarian cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and 17 β -estradiol release is concordant with previous indications on its ability to increase ovarian cell apoptosis [ 41 , 42 ] and steroidogenesis [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Furthermore, there is the first evidence on the capability of vitex to promote ovarian cell proliferation, resulting in cell turnover and viability.…”

“…Furthermore, there is the first evidence on the capability of vitex to promote ovarian cell proliferation, resulting in cell turnover and viability. These effects explain the stimulatory and therapeutic action of vitex on some ovarian functions reported previously [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

“…Vitex ( Vitex agnus-castus ) is another potential regulator of reproduction and health. The presence of antioxidants and phytoestrogens in vitex makes it useful for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome and the restoration of sex steroid release and estrous cycle [ 36 , 37 , 38 ], for the therapy of premenstrual and postmenstrual syndromes [ 39 , 40 ] and as a remedy for infertility [ 39 ]. Due to its ability to promote apoptosis, it can be also beneficial for the prevention and cure of cancer [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Ficus deltoidea ameliorates biochemical, hormonal, and histomorphometric changes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rats

“…Animals were induced to develop PCOS with LTZ at 1 mg/kg b.wt dissolved in 2 mL/kg/day of saline for 21 days [23]. Approximately 0.5 mL of blood samples were collected before and after PCOS induction from the jugular vein.…”

Phyto-pharmacological and Biological Aspects of Vitex negundo Medicinal Plant - A Review

“…Whereas, Hu et al [74] revealed that the same extract acted as an aphrodisiac [10] having estrogen-like activity and proposed its use in hormone replacement therapy. Kakadia et al [75] studied the potential of Vn seeds to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome.…”