The Combinatory Effect of Salvia officinalis and Nigella sativa Extracts on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Induced in Mice.

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder whose symptoms include menstrual disturbances, hirsutism, and female anovulatory infertility. As medicinal plants, Nigella sativa and Salvia officinalis have been used and investigated due to their broad medicinal benefits.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the combinatorial effect of Nigella sativa and Salvia officinalis extracts on ovarian function in PCOS-induced mice. PCOS was induced in female Balb/c using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) then were treated with Nigella sativa and Salvia officinalis extracts or their combination. Control groups (normal saline, sesame oil, extracts) were included, Positive control group was metformin, a medication commonly used to treat PCOS.

METHODS

Histological analysis of the ovaries were performed. Serum hormone levels: Testosterone (T) and Estradiol (E), oxidative stress markers Glutathione (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and the proinflammatory marker interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were quantified.

RESULTS

Nigella sativa and Salvia officinalis or their combination were able to significantly minimizing markers of PCOS as shown by decrease the number of cysts in the ovaries, decrease in serum Testosterone and Estradiol levels (50 and 55% respectively with P < 0.05), decrease MDA levels (by ∼90% with P < 0.05), normalizing the oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD, and GSH) levels and decreasing IL-1β (by ∼40% with P < 0.05) levels compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the combined effect of Nigella sativa and Salvia officinalis was better able to treat PCOS and may replace Metformin to improve PCOS-induced abnormalities.