Vitex agnus-castus extract improved the endocrine profile and important gene expression in rat ovaries with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: The beneficial effect of Vitex agnus-castus on the female endocrine system has been reported. This study examines the impact of Vitex extract (VE) on the serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), sex hormones, and P۴۵۰arom, AMH, and CTRP۶ gene expression in the ovaries of a rat model of PCOS.Materials and Methods: Thirty-two rats with regular estrous cycles were enrolled as controls, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and two treatment groups. PCOS was induced by estradiol valerate. The treatment groups (T۱ &T۲) received VE (۱۵۰ or ۲۰۰ mg/kg body weight, respectively) for ۳۰ days following PCOS induction. Serum and left ovary were used to assess hormone levels and P۴۵۰arom, AMH, and CTRP۶ gene expression.Results: In the T۲ group, a significant decrease in estradiol (E۲, testosterone, and AMH levels (p=۰.۰۲۸) was observed with no significant change in DHEA (p=۰.۹۶۷) in comparison with the PCOS group. AMH in the serum was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in all the other groups (p=۰.۰۲۱). The level of progesterone was not considerably changed between treatments and the PCOS group (p=۰.۱۱).  The expression of P۴۵۰arom in the T۲ group was significantly higher than the PCOS group (p=۰.۰۰۳) and had no significant difference from the control (p=۰.۲۰۰). The expression of AMH (p=۰.۰۰۳) and CTRP۶ was significantly (p=۰.۰۰۰۱) higher in the ovaries of the PCOS group compared to other groups, and consumption of the extract improved the evaluated parameters significantly.Conclusion: The endocrine profile and gene expression were improved in the rat ovary following administration of VE, and therefore, the therapeutic effect of VE may be expected in PCOS.

کلیدواژه ها:

AMH PCOS P۴۵۰arom CTRP۶ Vitex agnus ، castus