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 P450 arom, AMH, and CTRP6 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 (T1 &T2) received VE (150 or 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively) for 30 days following PCOS induction. Serum and left ovary were used to assess hormone levels and P450 arom, AMH, and CTRP6 gene expression.

RESULTS

In the T2 group, a significant decrease in estradiol (E2, testosterone, and AMH levels (p=0.028) was observed with no significant change in DHEA (p=0.967) in comparison with the PCOS group. AMH in the serum was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in all the other groups (p=0.021). The level of progesterone was not considerably changed between treatments and the PCOS group (p=0.11). The expression of P450 arom in the T2 group was significantly higher than the PCOS group (p=0.003) and had no significant difference from the control (p=0.200). The expression of AMH (p=0.003) and CTRP6 was significantly (p=0.0001) 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.