Abstract
Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive-age women. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of Rosa damascena (RD) extract in estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats.
Material and methods:
Adult female Wistar rats were divided into control (n = 12) and PCOS groups (n = 36). The PCOS model was induced using EV (4 mg/kg/day), which was confirmed in 6 rats in each control and PCOS group by observation of irregular estrous cycles in vaginal smears and ovarian multiple cystic. Then, the rest of the control group (n = 6) and PCOS rats (n = 30 in 5 divided groups) were treated orally for 28 days with metformin (MET) as a positive control (200 mg/kg/day) and RD extract (400, 800, and 1200 mg/kg/day, respectively). Body and ovary weights, biochemical and histological parameters, and expression of the IGF-1 gene were measured.
Results:
Compared to the PCOS group, metformin and higher doses of RD extract (800 and 1200 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced BW, HOMA-IR, FBS, FINS, TG, LDL, TT, E2, LH, TC, and liver enzymes, and increased HDL and FSH levels. In addition, ovarian weight and CFs decreased, and the findings showed an increment in PFs, CLs, PAFs, AFs, and GFs. IGF-1 gene expression levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
RD extract seems to have the potential therapeutic effect of alleviating PCOS complications, and IGF-1 signaling may be involved in the beneficial effects of RD on PCOS.
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