The Effect of Galega officinalis on Hormonal and Metabolic Profile in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered as one of the current disorders of the endocrine system in women of reproductive age (1-3). The epidemiological studies indicated that the incidence of PCOS varies in the world with a range of 2.2% to 26% (2,4). Such incidence is 43% to 46% in the United States, 37.4% in Germany, and 16% in Italy (5). The typical complications of PCOS include polycystic ovaries, elevated luteinizing hormone, hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation along with oligoamenorrhea, obesity, and infertility (6). PCOS could be taken into account as a metabolism-centered syndrome such as insulin resistance syndrome or some other risk factors, including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia (7). Although the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of PCOS is still elusive, this syndrome is concomitant with hormonal perturbation, such as a diminished concentration of progesterone and heightened levels of testosterone, estrogen and luteinizing hormone (8-10). In patients afflicted with both hyperandrogenism and PCOS, there is a strong association between the hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism as the concentration of insulin shows a strong correlation with adrenal steroid excretion (11). On the other hand, in patients with PCOS, hyperinsulinemia is concurrent with heightened levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triglyceride, total cholesterol (12) and reduced level of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (13). Additionally, besides insulin resistance, the metabolism of lipid in females suffered from PCOS may be altered by ovarian-or adrenalexcretion of sex steroid hormones. Effects of sex steroids Abstract Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been considered as one of the most common endocrine diseases among the females in their regenerative age with a prevalence range of 5 to 21%. However, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Galega officinalis on metabolic as well as hormonal parameters in a rodent model of PCOS. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two Wistar female rats were used (n=8/group) in the study consisting of healthy control and experimental groups. The experimental groups were divided into 3 subgroups, including rats with PCOS which received no treatment (G1), PCOS group in which G. officinalis extract was administered daily at a dose of 200 mg/kg/orally (G2) for 2 weeks, and PCOS group in which G. officinalis extract was administered daily at a dose of 400 mg/kg/orally (G3) for 2 weeks. In all experimental groups, a single intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate led to inducing PCOS. After the end of treatment period, rats in all of the studied groups were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine (5/1 mg/kg), then the blood samples obtained and their serum samples were applied for testing the fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, aromatase, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and estrogen. The ovaries of rats were removed and fi...

The ameliorative effect of Galega officinalis Extract on Histological Damages, Oxidative Stress Induced by Torsion-Detorsion in Adult Rats’ Ovarian

“…The reproductive life of women or even thereafter can be affected by oxidative stress (5,6,15,16). Oxidative stress has been considered as an inconstancy between the generation of ROS and antioxidant defense capability of the body 122 (4)(5)(6)(7)9,14,15,17). The function of ROS has a similarity to the double-edged sword; one of their activities involves in body physiological processes as key signal molecules, but ROS have the main role in pathological damage in the reproductive system (15,16,18).…”

“…G. officinalis contains flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, resins, and steroids (9,13). These compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols) have antioxidant properties (9,13). The antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of G. officinalis have been reported (8,9,13).…”

“…In this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of G. officinalis could prevent from ROS production and oxidative stress, hence, the number of follicles and yellow bodies increased, while the number of atretic bodies decreased. In one study, it has been reported that 10 days treatment with G. officinalis could lead to increasing numbers of follicles (9).…”

“…Considering the effects of oxidation on ovarian damage caused by torsion/detorsion, the use of antioxidants plays an important role in healing; moreover, undesirable effects of antioxidants are recommended in recent research as a conservative approach (7). Galega officinalis is known as Galega belonging to the Fabaceae family that grows in southeastern parts of Europe as well as the Middle East (8)(9)(10)(11). It has been reported that G. officinalis has been used as a supplement for treating diabetes mellitus in the Medieval period (8,12).…”

“…The hydroalcoholic extract of G. officinalis contains flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, resins, and steroids. However, these compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols) have antioxidant properties (9,13).…”