Thuja occidentalis L. and its active compound, α-thujone: Promising effects in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome without inducing osteoporosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae) has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, amenorrhea, cystitis, and uterine carcinomas, and as an abortifacient and contraceptive.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed to determine whether T. occidentalis oil and α-thujone could be beneficial in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: T. occidentalis oil and α-thujone were administered to rats with letrozole-induced PCOS for 21 days. At the end of 21 days, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture. The levels of serum gonadotropins, steroids, blood lipid, leptin, and glucose and the values of antioxidant parameters were measured.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated that estradiol and progesterone levels significantly increased, while luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels decreased in the T. occidentalis- and α-thujone-administered groups. The plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin, and glucose concentrations were also significantly decreased in the T. occidentalis and α-thujone groups when compared to the control group. Histopathological findings demonstrated that the T. occidentalis and α-thujone groups displayed good healing. According to the phytochemical analyses, 25 compounds were identified in the T. occidentalis oil. The main constituents of the oil were the monoterpene ketones α- and β-thujone, fenchone, and sabinene, as well as the diterpenes beyerene and rimuene.

CONCLUSION: T. occidentalis essential oil and its active component, α-thujone, can be used for the treatment of PCOS without inducing osteoporosis.