Protective effect of functional food containing Dendrobium officinale via mediation of the FSHR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway on menopausal syndrome in rats

Abstract

Menopausal symptoms are age-related disorders related to the deficiency of estrogen that can be influenced by emotional and dietary habits. Guocaoyin superior-national-functional food (GSNF), a traditional Chinese medicine primarily containing Dendrobium officinale, offers notable benefits for mitigating metabolic disorders caused by unhealthy diet. Currently, there is limited research on the impact of GSNF on menopausal syndrome, and its underlying pharmacological mechanisms remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of GSNF on menopausal syndrome and to investigate its effect on endocrine metabolic disorders induced by ovarian failure. The findings demonstrate that GSNF raised levels of serum estradiol (E2), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and inhibin B (INHB), reduced levels of serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and ameliorated ovarian pathological damage in rats experiencing menopausal syndrome. It was discovered that GSNF enhanced ovarian FSHR and ERα protein expression, stimulated follicular development by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, and hindered ovarian follicular apoptosis while improving ovarian function through the regulation of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, BAX, and Caspase-3 expression. Furthermore, GSNF augmented the expression of hippocampal FSHR protein and upregulated the expression of hippocampal PI3K and AKT proteins. Additionally, it reduced serum corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, facilitated the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE), and boosted hippocampal tissue neuron count, thereby ameliorating depression-like symptoms during menopause. Moreover, GSNF supplementation improved glucose-lipid metabolism disorders and mitigated hepatic steatosis in model rats. Overall, our research revealed a new function for GSNF in mitigating the adverse impact of negative emotion and unhealthy dietary habits on menopausal symptoms. These findings indicate that GSNF may be a viable option for treating menopausal syndrome.

Keywords

• Guocaoyin superior-national-functional drink (GSNF)
• Menopausal syndrome
• Hippocampal function
• Glycolipid metabolism
• FSHR/PI3K/AKT pathway