Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that is common among women in their reproductive ages. This condition is associated with insulin resistance, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and inflammation. Various drugs are used in treating this disorder but with side effects, hence the need for an alternative treatment with minimal side effects. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the reproductive hormones and insulin levels, inflammation markers and oxidative stress in PCOS rats. In this study, 25 female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=5): control, PCOS control, treated groups (200 and 400 mg/kgbw methanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina), standard group (metformin and clomiphene citrate). PCOS was induced by oral administration of 1 mg/kgbw letrozole dissolved in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and high fat diet for 28 days. The treatment groups were treated with the extract for 2 weeks and thereafter, the ovaries were removed, weighed, and subjected to histopathological studies. Serum reproductive hormone levels, antioxidant activities, lipid profile, anti-inflammatory and insulin levels were evaluated. Extract of Vernonia amygdalina significantly reduced LH (P=0.0001), increased FSH (P=0.0001), and progesterone levels and had no significant change in estradiol and testosterone levels in comparison with the PCOS control group. Treatment with Vernonia amygdalina reduced IL-6, CRP and TNF-α levels. There was a significant decrease (P=0.009) in MDA level but no significant difference in CAT and SOD levels after treatment with Vernonia amygdalina compared with the PCOS control group. Groups treated with Vernonia amygdalina had significant reductions (P=0.0001) in triglycerides, LDL-C (P=0.0001), insulin levels (P=0.0009) and significant increase (P=0.009) in HDL-C level. The ovarian weight and cysts were significantly reduced after treatment. Extract of Vernonia amygdalina could be used in the management of some conditions associated with PCOS.