Allium ampeloprasum var. Porrum (Alliaceae) Improves Metabolic and Reproductive Disorders Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Wistar Rats

Abstract

To provide scientific evidence of the efficacy of Allium ampeloprasum against female infertility, the effects of the aqueous extract of the said plant (AE) were evaluated in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). AE was administered orally to PCOS rats at doses of 192, 384, and 768 mg/kg. The positive control was co-treated with clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg) and metformin (200 mg/kg). Normal and negative controls received distilled water. The vaginal contents of rats were examined daily under a microscope before (7 days) and during treatment. Treatments were administered orally for 15 days, and then, 6 rats from each group were sacrificed for biochemical and histological analyses. The remaining rats were mated with males of proven fertility for 5 days. The daily examination of vaginal smears allowed the evaluation of fertility index. After parturition, additional fertility parameters were determined. Results showed that in PCOS rats, AE decreased body weight (p<0.001), abdominal fat weight (p<0.001), serum levels of LH (p<0.001), testosterone (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.05), and LDL cholesterol (p<0.01). HDL cholesterol increased and atherogenic indices decreased (p<0.001). The number of Graafian follicles and corpora lutea increased, while cystic (p<0.001) and atretic (p<0.05) follicles decreased. AE also decreased oxidative stress in the ovaries, restored the estrous cycle, induced uterine epithelial cell hypertrophy, and improved fertility. These effects were attributed to phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthocyanins present in AE. The overall results justify the traditional use of A. ampeloprasum against female infertility and suggest its potential use as a dietary supplement for PCOS patients.