Role of reactive oxygen species in polycystic ovary syndrome: signalling pathways, mechanisms, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment strategies.

The biological role reactive oxygen species (ROS), both as byproduct of cellular respiration and as crucial secondary messengers, has been extensively acknowledged in scientific literature. Key ROS-generating enzymes and organelles, including mitochondria, NADPH oxidase, and the endoplasmic reticulum, have been found closely linked to the regulation of metabolic processes. An imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant systems, resulting from abnormal ROS production and leading to oxidative stress (OS), has been implicated as a significant pathogenic in a variety of diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a prevalent endocrine disorder that adversely affects reproductive health and metabolic homeostasis in women of reproductive age. This review provides a systematic examination of the three primary sources of ROS production, and explores the mechanisms through which excessive ROS production triggers the dysregulation of key signalling pathways. These pathways are central to the fundamental pathological features of PCOS, such as ovulatory dysfunction, obesity phenotype, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism, with a specific emphasis on the interactions within ROS signalling pathways. Grounded in the holistic regulation principles of Chinese medicine and targeting the core signalling pathway as the intervention focal point, we propose a comprehensive intervention strategy. This strategy incorporates natural compounds, herbal compounds, acupuncture, dietary supplements, and other therapeutic approaches, which will provide a new theoretical framework and research direction for enhancing the clinical management of PCOS.