Protective Impacts of Quercetin and Echinochrome on Female Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats.

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a universal reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic disorder. It affects 9.2% of women worldwide. Echinochrome (Ech) is the most common dark red pigment of sea urchin shells and possesses high antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties. Quercetin (Quer) is a flavonol widely distributed in plants with high antioxidant properties. Therefore, Ech and Quer as a combined protective therapy were investigated against letrozole and high-fat diet-induced PCOS model in rats.

METHODS

Sixty female rats were divided randomly into five groups: Control: received 2% DMSO with a normal diet, PCOS: received letrozole with HFD, Ech: received letrozole and Ech with HFD, Quer: received letrozole and Quer with HFD, Ech + Quer: received letrozole, Ech, and Quer together daily orally for 4 weeks. Half of the rats in each group were sacrificed, and the remaining rats were examined for their ability to mate and fertility.

RESULTS

Ech and Quer treatment restored normal levels of lipid and hormonal profiles, oxidative status, kidney and liver functions with a marked amelioration in ovarian, uterine histopathology, and a good evidence in pregnancy analysis.

CONCLUSION

Ech and Quer were found to have a potent protective effect against PCOS, minimal side effects, and improved progeny outcomes in rats.