Abstract
Background:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and complex metabolic disorder, associated with anovulation, changes in sex hormone, biochemical factors, and ovarian tissue. Royal Jelly (RJ) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Objective:
To examine the therapeutic effect of RJ on PCOS-related hormonal and biochemical changes in a rat model of PCOS.
Materials and methods:
In this experimental study, 42 female Wistar rats (weighing 180-200 gr, aged 10-12 wk) were divided into six groups (n = 7/each): control; PCOS; RJ 100 mg/kg; RJ 200 mg/kg; PCOS + RJ 100 mg/kg; and PCOS + RJ 200 mg/kg. After 21 days, the animals were weighed and dissected. The serums were used for nitric oxide (NO) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and estradiol and progesterone measurements. The ovaries were assessed for histological changes.
Results:
PCOS increased estradiol and NO levels, and decreased progesterone and FRAP levels. In PCOS + RJ groups, the progesterone (p = 0.01) and FRAP levels (p 0.001) increased and the estradiol and NO (p 0.001) levels decreased significantly. Moreover, the number of mature follicles (p = 0.01) and corpus luteum increased (p 0.001), and ovarian and uterus weight deceased significantly (p 0.001).
Conclusion:
RJ improved estradiol, progesterone, FRAP, and NO levels, and ovarian structure in the rat model of PCOS.
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