Welsh Onion Root (Allium fistulosum) Restores Ovarian Functions from Letrozole Induced-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine, metabolic, and systemic disease. It is mainly characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea, and high levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). There is no obvious therapy for PCOS, so patients have received symptomatic therapy. Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum) is well-known in Asian countries for its usage in food ingredients and traditional medicines. It is also studied for its many effects. These include activation of immune responses, antihypertensive effects, and antioxidant effects. Using letrozole-induced PCOS rats, we focused on herbal therapy using extract of Allium fistulosum (AF; A. fistulosum) roots to improve ovarian functions. As a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, letrozole blocks conversion of testosterone to estrogen and subsequently induces PCOS phenomenon. We divided six-week-old female rats into four groups, including control, letrozole, letrozole + AF extract, and temporary letrozole groups. In our study, treatment with AF extract shows a low plasma LH/FSH ratio, and reveals high estrogen levels, ovarian morphology, folliculogenesis-related genes, and aromatase expression under PCOS mimic conditions. We concluded that AF extract administration influenced aromatase production, enhanced the estrogen steroid synthesis, and consequently restored the estrogenic feedback mechanism on the pituitary-ovary system.

Modulation of steroidogenesis by Actaea racemosa and vitamin C combination, in Letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model: Promising activity without the risk of hepatic adverse effect

“…Our findings unveiled a significant downregulation of CYP19α1 mRNA expression level in PCOS ovary tissues. These results were consistent with previously published data (45,53,54). Remarkably, the AR and vit C combo showed superior and significant gene upregulation versus its components.…”

“…The efficacy of LTZ rat model in the induction of PCOS is well established and represents human PCOS in various aspects (44)(45)(46). Oxidative stress may be engaged in the pathogenesis of PCOS (47).…”

Troxerutin protects against DHT-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

“…However, there was a significant troxerutin-caused ( 300 mg/kg) decline in serum and hypothalamic GnRH. In regard to the serum hormone levels in rats, many previous studies have reported that LH were generally in the range of 1.5 ~ 3 mIU/ml [32,33], FSH levels varied from 8mIU/ml to 20mIU/ml [22,34]and testosterone varied from 0.2 to 10 ng/ml [32,[34][35][36][37], which were approximately consistent with the corresponding results in the present study. Conclusively, troxerutin treatment 300 kg/mg to rats for up to 4 weeks inhibited the hyperactive GnRH/LH system in PCOS rats.…”

“…Thus, numerous studies attempted to guide the development of new and effective therapies for PCOS. Recently, treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine and food ingredients, such as AF extract, soy isoflavones and crocetin, provided a novel therapeutic way for PCOS [22][23][24]. All these observations suggested rooms for improvement in PCOS therapies.…”

Modulation of Edible Plants on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced by Aflatoxin B1

“…Also, it has ability to activate the immune response and antihypertensive effect as well as antioxidant defense system. The consumption of A. fistulosum extract increased estrogen level, mediated the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, and conducted hormone balance in female rats resulting in the enhancement of ovarian function [74]. The extract is able to downregulate the accumulation of lipid in HepG2 cells without cytotoxic effect and fatty acid gene synthesis.…”