Phytomedicine Plus (Aug 2024)
Impact of Gundelia tournefortti extract on the polycystic ovarian syndrome
Abstract
Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects females ranging from age 16 to 45 years. PCOS significantly increases the risk of infertility, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension in women. Gundelia tournefortti has been shown to have various metabolic effects and has been utilized in Greco-Arab medicine for different pathological conditions. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effect of Gundelia tournefortii on the ovaries of PCOS in mice. Study Design: Female Balb/c Mice (n = 63) were randomly divided into seven groups. PCOS was induced using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Post-disease induction, the mice were orally treated with 5 % Gundelia tournefortii aqueous extract. A group was pre-co treated with DHEA and the extract. Negative control included sham and sesame oil. Metformin was used as a positive control. Methods: Histological analysis of the ovaries was performed. The levels of Testosterone and Estradiol in the serum were determined. The indicators of oxidative stress Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) were quantified along with the proinflammatory marker IL-1B using colorimetric analysis and ELISA. The effect of the extract on steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1 and Aromatase was assessed using Western blot analysis. Results: A decrease of apparent follicular cysts in the ovaries was observed after treatment with Gundelia tournefortii extract. The levels of serum Testosterone and Estradiol decreased post treatment of PCOS mice with the extract. The markers of oxidative stress were all normalized in the treatment group compared to the control group. The extract caused a decrease in IL-1β decreased in the treatment group. Finally, post-treatment with Gundelia tournefortii was able to restore Aromatase expression and repress expression of CYP11A1. Conclusion: Our study showed that Gundelia tournefortii was able to restore all negative parameters induced by DHEA making the extract a plausible therapeutic agent for PCOS.
