Polygonatum Odoratum (Mill.) Druce Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Improves the Ovarian Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats.

PROBLEM: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligoovulation or anovulation, and the morphology of polycystic ovaries. Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce (POD), a key component of the traditional Chinese herb Polygonatum odoratum, has uncertain effects on improving ovarian function and inflammation in patients with PCOS.

METHOD OF STUDY: Network pharmacological analysis was conducted to explore the processes and signaling pathways of POD in the treatment of PCOS. Letrozole via gavage induced the PCOS model rats. Ovarian morphology and the ovarian body index were assessed, and the numbers of corpora lutea and cystic follicles were quantified after hematoxylin‒eosin staining. Testosterone and fasting blood glucose levels were measured, and glucose tolerance was evaluated. Additionally, IL-1β and TNF-αlevels in the ovaries were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology identified a total of 107 potential targets associated with POD and PCOS, suggested that POD could treat PCOS through mechanisms involving inflammation, the response to LPS, metabolic pathways. Experiments demonstrated that LPS reduced the number of corpora lutea and increased the number of cystic follicles while also impairing glucose regulation in PCOS rats. Moreover, LPS increased the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Treatment with POD mitigated these changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that LPS exacerbates ovarian dysfunction and inflammation in PCOS rats, while POD effectively reverses these changes, suggesting a promising avenue for research into the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of PCOS.