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Wang K, Li Y, Chen Y. Androgen excess: a hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1273542. [PMID: 38152131 PMCID: PMC10751361 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1273542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic, reproductive, and psychological disorder affecting 6-20% of reproductive women worldwide. However, there is still no cure for PCOS, and current treatments primarily alleviate its symptoms due to a poor understanding of its etiology. Compelling evidence suggests that hyperandrogenism is not just a primary feature of PCOS. Instead, it may be a causative factor for this condition. Thus, figuring out the mechanisms of androgen synthesis, conversion, and metabolism is relatively important. Traditionally, studies of androgen excess have largely focused on classical androgen, but in recent years, adrenal-derived 11-oxygenated androgen has also garnered interest. Herein, this Review aims to investigate the origins of androgen excess, androgen synthesis, how androgen receptor (AR) signaling mediates adverse PCOS traits, and the role of 11-oxygenated androgen in the pathophysiology of PCOS. In addition, it provides therapeutic strategies targeting hyperandrogenism in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Wang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanhua Li
- Department of General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Bu N, Jamil A, Hussain L, Alshammari A, Albekairi TH, Alharbi M, Jamshed A, Bazmi RR, Younas A. Phytochemical-Based Study of Ethanolic Extract of Saraca asoca in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Female Adult Rats. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:42586-42597. [PMID: 38024692 PMCID: PMC10652831 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder which affects women of reproductive age. It is a condition in which ovaries produce an excessive amount of androgen (the male sex hormone). Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd. is a plant of the Fabaceae family. This plant has been traditionally used as a uterine tonic in leucorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to its various pharmacological activities. In this study, the ethanolic extract of S. asoca (EESA) was evaluated for its potential to be used for the management of PCOS. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents: kaempferol, rutin, (-)-epicatechin, salicylic acid, and gallic acid. For PCOS induction, 30 adult female rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 5) and the PCOS group (n = 25). Letrozole (1 mg/kg/day) was administered per orally (p.o.) for a period of 7 weeks for the induction of disease. Weekly body weight measurements and daily vaginal cytology examinations were performed for disease confirmation. After disease induction, the PCOS group was further divided into five groups (n = 5), that is, disease control, metformin, and EESA (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) groups, respectively, and given treatment doses for next 5 weeks. After the treatment period, all animals were weighed and euthanized humanly. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assays, lipid profiles, and liver function tests. For histological assessment of ovarian cysts, ovaries were dissected. Livers were preserved to evaluate EESA's antioxidant properties. Histopathology analysis revealed that EESA reduced body weight and the number of cystic follicles. Furthermore, it also lowered the elevated levels of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, insulin, and malonaldehyde in PCOS rats while increasing the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase. It can be concluded that EESA exhibited beneficial effects in normalizing the perturbed hormonal profile and improved the ovary status by decreasing the cystic follicle and improving the ovulation status in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Bu
- Department
of Pharmacy, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 31006, P. R. China
| | - Alina Jamil
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Liaqat Hussain
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer H. Albekairi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Metab Alharbi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayesha Jamshed
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Islamia
University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
| | - Rizwan Rashid Bazmi
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Anam Younas
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
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Hussain L, Rana S, Abbas G, Alshammari A, Alasmari AF, Alharbi M, Zahid MT, Irfan M. Pharmacological Potential of Hippophae rhamnoides L. Nano-Emulsion for Management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Animals' Model: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:32977-32989. [PMID: 37720770 PMCID: PMC10500670 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The most common female endocrinopathy, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), generally affects women of childbearing age. Hippophae rhamnoides L. has been traditionally used to improve menstrual cyclicity. Gas chromatography by flame ionization detection analysis showed that it contained various phytoconstituents such as omega-3 fatty acid, phytosterols, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. H. rhamnoides L. (HR) nano-emulsion was also formulated. HR and its encapsulated nano-emulsion (HRNE) were evaluated for the treatment of PCOS. Thirty-five healthy female adult albino rats were acquired and divided into seven groups (n = 5). Letrozole (1 mg/kg) was used for 5 weeks to induce the disease. To confirm disease (PCOS) induction, the animals were weighed weekly and their vaginal smears were analyzed daily under a microscope. After PCOS induction, animals were treated with metformin, HR, and HRNE with two different doses (0.5/kg and 1 g/kg, p.o.) for 5 weeks. At the end of the treatment, animals were euthanized, and blood was collected for hormonal assessment, lipid profiling, and liver functioning test assessment. Both the ovaries were preserved for histopathology and liver for the purpose of assessment of antioxidant potential. The results revealed that HR and HRNE at both doses improved the hormonal imbalance; follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, and progesterone levels are increased, while luteinizing hormone surge and testosterone level are controlled. Insulin sensitivity is improved. Ovarian histopathology showed that normal ovarian echotexture is restored with corpus luteum and mature and developing follicles. HR and HRNE also improved the lipid profile and decreased lipid peroxidation (MDA) with improved antioxidant markers (SOD, CAT, and GSH). Results were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and were considered significant only if p < 0.05. In conclusion, it can be postulated that H. rhamnoides L. proved effective in the management of PCOS and its nano-emulsion effects were statistically more significant, which might be due to better bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liaqat Hussain
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Saba Rana
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Abbas
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Abdulrahman Alshammari
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F. Alasmari
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Metab Alharbi
- Department
of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Post Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Toseef Zahid
- College
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Pharmaceutical
University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
- College
of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany
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Zhang Z, Shi C, Wang Z. Therapeutic Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Chlorogenic Acid on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Role of HIF-1alpha. Nutrients 2023; 15:2833. [PMID: 37447160 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a powerful antioxidant polyphenol molecule found in many diets and liquid beverages, playing a preventive and therapeutic role in various diseases caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent research has found that CGA can not only improve clinical symptoms in PCOS patients but also improve follicular development, hormone status, and oxidative stress in PCOS rats, indicating the therapeutic effect of CGA on PCOS. Notably, our previous series of studies has demonstrated the expression changes and regulatory mechanisms of HIF-1alpha signaling in PCOS ovaries. Considering the regulatory effect of CGA on the HIF-1alpha pathway, the present article systematically elucidates the therapeutic role and molecular mechanisms of HIF-1alpha signaling during the treatment of PCOS by CGA, including follicular development, steroid synthesis, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, in order to further understand the mechanisms of CGA effects in different types of diseases and to provide a theoretical basis for further promoting CGA-rich diets and beverages simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Congjian Shi
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
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