Phytochemical-Based Study of Ethanolic Extract of <i>Saraca asoca</i> in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Female Adult Rats

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder with multifactorial etiology and complex pathogenesis. These intrinsic physiological changes cause anovulation, infertility, and miscarriage in women and exacerbate their chances of becoming hyperlipidemic and diabetic. Inonotus obliquus has been used traditionally for infertility problems. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of aqueous ethanolic extract of Inonotus obliquus (AEIO) in female rats with letrozole-induced PCOS, along with the determination of its possible mechanism. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, p-coumaric, benzoic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, and kaempferol. Thirty female albino rats were acquired and divided into two groups (5 + 25) to induce PCOS. Letrozole (1 mg/kg) was used to induce the disease for 7 weeks (25 rats) except for the normal control (5 rats). The disease was confirmed by vaginal smear cytology, weight gain, and endocrinopathy. After disease induction, rats were divided into five groups (five rats in each group; disease control, metformin 20 mg/kg, AEIO 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg). After completion of the study, the animals were euthanized under the influence of anesthesia (chloroform). Ovaries were removed for histopathology, the liver was evaluated for oxidative stress biomarkers, and blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluation. Ovarian histopathology showed an abnormal architecture with cystic follicles and abnormal granulosa cells. Interestingly, treatment with AEIO restored normal ovarian histology with primary, growing, and developing follicles. After conducting a hormonal analysis, it was found that the induction of PCOS led to a significant increase (p < 0.001) in luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin, and testosterone levels, while the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased. However, treatment with AEIO at doses of 100–500 mg/kg restored these levels to normal. PCOS induction also resulted in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation by significantly decreasing antioxidant enzymatic markers (SOD, CAT, and GSH) and increasing levels of lipid peroxidation enzymatic markers (MDA). AEIO restored the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH), and reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). In conclusion, antioxidant phytochemicals (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, p-coumaric, benzoic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, and kaempferol) rich extract alleviated PCOS symptomatology through modulating oxidative stress markers and eliminating ovarian low-grade inflammation by downregulating the expression of NF-κB associated TNF-α and IL-6.

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Pharmacological Appraisal of Aqueous Ethanolic Extract of Cuminum cyminum (Cumin Seeds) in Obesity and Endocrinopathies Associated With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Animal Models

Wang,

Barkat,

Amin

et al. 2024

Journal of Food Biochemistry

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A multidisciplinary endocrinopathy affecting women in their reproductive years, polycystic ovarian syndrome, causes insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, cardiovascular issues, obesity, and menstrual difficulties. Cuminum cyminum (cumin seed) is a famous spice traditionally used for various ailments such as indigestion, headache, diarrhea, obesity, and gynecological disorders. This study explored the pharmacological potential of aqueous ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum (AECC) in letrozole‐induced PCOS animals, which were also obese. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid (HB acid), caffeic acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, coumarin, quercetin, benzoic acid, rutin, and p‐coumaric acid. Thirty adult female rats were divided into six groups (5 animals in each group). PCOS was induced by using letrozole (1 mg/kg). The groups were normal control, diseased control, standard (metformin, 20 mg/kg), and AECC (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg). Vaginal smear cytology was used to confirm the PCOS. The animals were euthanized after 12 weeks, and blood was drawn for hormonal and biochemical study. We used isoflurane 5% for euthanasia in a closed chamber. The ovaries were removed for histopathology. Ovarian histopathology showed abnormalities with cystic follicles in PCOS female rats. It also produced hyperinsulinemia, LH surge, lower FSH, perturbed LH/FSH ratio, and higher levels of testosterone and weight gain. Moreover, it also produced oxidative stress with ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. Meanwhile, AECC treatment converted cystic follicles into primary, secondary, and differentiating follicles with healthy granulosa cells and corpus luteum with significant (p < 0.001) weight loss. AECC significantly (p < 0.001) reduced serum insulin levels and normalized LH/FSH ratio, with improved FSH levels and control of LH surge. AECC also reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation with significant (p < 0.001) improvement of antioxidant markers. It has been concluded that AEEC can alleviate PCOS symptoms by improving insulin resistance, reducing weight, addressing hyperandrogenism, regulating the LH/FSH ratio, and overcoming oxidative stress and ROS production.

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Phytochemical-Based Study of Ethanolic Extract of Saraca asoca in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Female Adult Rats

Cited by 5 publications

References 52 publications

Phytochemicals-based investigation of Rubia cordifolia pharmacological potential against letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in female adult rats: In vitro, in vivo and mechanistic approach

Phytochemicals-based investigation of Rubia cordifolia pharmacological potential against letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in female adult rats: In vitro, in vivo and mechanistic approach

Aqueous Ethanolic Extract of Inonotus obliquus Ameliorates Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Downregulating TNF-α and Interleukin-6

Pharmacological Appraisal of Aqueous Ethanolic Extract of Cuminum cyminum (Cumin Seeds) in Obesity and Endocrinopathies Associated With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Animal Models

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