Therapeutic Efficacy of Extract From Polygonatum odoratum Druce on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats

Objective To investigate the effects of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce extract (POD) on ovarian function and inflammation of rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Three-week-old female SD rats were used in this study. PCOS model was established by gavage of letrozole for 21 d. Then PCOS model rats were treated with different concentrations of POD by gavage. The changes of water and food intake, body mass and estrous cycle were recorded, blood related indicators were detected, serum testosterone level was measured, glucose tolerance was detected, and the morphological changes of ovarian tissue were observed by HE staining. Western blot (WB), fluorescent quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 & beta; (IL-1 & beta;) and tumor necrosis factor-& alpha; (TNF-& alpha;) in ovarian tissues. Results Compared with the control group, the PCOS model rats had disordered estrous cycle, polycystic ovarian changes, significantly increased serum testosterone level, up-regulated ovarian AMH expression, and impaired glucose tolerance (P<0.01). The expression of IL-1 & beta; and TNF-& alpha; was increased (P<0.01). After the PCOS model rats were treated with different concentrations of POD, the estrous cycle gradually returned to normal, the number of corpus luteum in the ovary increased, the number of cystic follicles decreased, the serum testosterone level decreased, and the impaired glucose tolerance was alleviated (P<0.01). The expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1 & beta; and TNF-& alpha; in ovarian tissue was down-regulated. Conclusion POD can improve the ovarian function of PCOS model rats and inhibit inflammatory response, and has a certain therapeutic effect on PCOS model rats.

Automated summary

The effects of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce extract (POD) on ovarian function and inflammation of rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were investigated in this study. The results showed that POD could restore the estrous cycle, reduce the number of cystic follicles, decrease serum testosterone level, improve glucose tolerance, and down-regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines in ovarian tissue of PCOS model rats after treatment.