Citrus limon peel extract versus metformin in testosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome: An experimental study

Background: Metformin is the standard therapy for metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but its gastrointestinal side effects prompt the search for alternatives. Lemon peel extract (LPE) possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties that may support PCOS management. Objective: To evaluate the effects of LPE, metformin, and their combination on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in testosterone-induced PCOS rats. Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted on ۳۲ females Rattus norvegicus (۱۲ wk, ۱۳۰-۱۷۰ gr), divided into ۴ groups (n = ۸): untreated PCOS, PCOS + LPE at dose ۵۰۰ mg/kg, PCOS + metformin at dose ۲۰۰ mg/kg, and PCOS with combination LPE ۵۰۰ mg/kg + metformin ۲۰۰ mg/kg. PCOS was induced with testosterone propionate (۱۰ mg/kg) for ۲۱ days, followed by ۱۴ days of treatment. ۲۴ hr after the last treatment, blood samples were collected to measure TNF-α, insulin and FBG using the enzyme-linked immunoassay method. HOMA-IR was calculated from insulin and FBG levels. Results: LPE significantly reduced TNF-α, HOMA-IR, and FBG compared with the untreated PCOS rats (p < ۰.۰۰۱), no significant differences were observed when compared with metformin administration (TNF-α, p = ۰.۹۴۵; HOMA-IR, p = ۰.۵۵۴; FBG, p = ۰.۵۷۵). Additionally, combination therapy of LPE and metformin resulted in a greater reduction in HOMA-IR and FBG than single therapy (p < ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: LPE reduced TNF-α levels, HOMA-IR, and FBG in PCOS rats, with effects comparable to metformin. Interestingly, their effectiveness improves when used in combination.

کلیدواژه ها:

Citrus limon ، Polycystic ovary syndrome ، Tumor necrosis factor-alpha ، Insulin resistance.