Therapeutic Potential of Asparagus racemosus and Vitex negundo Against Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Wistar Rats: Exploring an Oxidative Stress Independent Mechanism
References
- Escobar-Morreale, H.F. (2018). Polycystic ovary syndrome: definition, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 14(5): 270-284. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2018.24 PMid:29569621
- Witchel, S.F., Oberfield, S.E., Peña, A.S. (2019). Polycystic ovary syndrome: pathophysiology, presentation, and treatment with emphasis on adolescent girls [presentation]. J Endocr Soc. 3(8): 1545-1573. https://doi.org/10.1210/js.2019-00078 PMid:31384717 PMCid:PMC6676075
- Sanchez-Garrido, M.A., Tena-Sempere, M. (2020). Metabolic dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome: pathogenic role of androgen excess and potential therapeutic strategies. Mol Metab. 35, 100937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2020.01.001 PMid:32244180 PMCid:PMC7115104
- Palomba, S., Daolio, J., La Sala, G.B. (2017). Oocyte competence in women with polycystic ovar y syndrome. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 28(3): 186-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2016.11.008 PMid:27988256
- Dadachanji, R., Shaikh, N., Mukherjee, S. (2018). Genetic variants associated with hyperandrogenemia in PCOS pathophysiology. Genet Res Int. 2018, 7624932. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7624932 PMid:29670770 PMCid:PMC5835258
- Xu, X.L., Deng, S.L., Lian, Z.X., Yu, K. (2021). Estrogen receptors in polycystic ovary syndrome. Cells. 10(2): 459. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10020459 PMid:33669960 PMCid:PMC7924872
- González, F., Nair, K.S., Daniels, J.K., Basal, E., Schimke, J.M., Blair, H.E. (2012). Hyperandrogenism sensitizes leukocytes to hyperglycemia to promote oxidative stress in lean reproductive-age women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 97(8): 2836-2843. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-1259 PMid:22569241 PMCid:PMC3410256
- Rudnicka, E., Duszewska, A.M., Kucharski, M., Tyczyński, P., Smolarczyk, R. (2022). Oxidative stress and reproductive function: oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome. Reproduction. 164(6): F145-F154. https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-22-0152 PMid:36279177
- Jensterle, M., Kravos, N.A., Ferjan, S., Goricar, K., Dolzan, V., Janez, A. (2020). Long-term efficacy of metformin in overweight-obese PCOS: longitudinal follow-up of retrospective cohort. Endocr Connect. 9(1): 44-54. https://doi.org/10.1530/EC-19-0449 PMid:31829964 PMCid:PMC6993269
- Alesi, S., Forslund, M., Melin, J., Romualdi, D., Peña, A., Tay, C.T., Witchel, S.F., et al. (2023). Efficacy and safety of anti-androgens in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. EClinicalMedicine. 63, 102162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102162 PMid:37583655 PMCid:PMC10424142
- Forslund, M., Melin, J., Alesi, S., Piltonen, T., Romualdi, D., Tay, C.T., Witchel, S., et al. (2023). Different kinds of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. 189(1): S1-S16. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejendo/lvad082 PMid:37440702
- Lanzo, E., Monge, M., Trent, M. (2015). Diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent girls. Pediatr Ann. 44(9): e223-230. https://doi.org/10.3928/00904481-20150910-10 PMid:26431241 PMCid:PMC5659205
- Rathee, P., Rathee, S. (2022). A review of polycystic ovarian syndrome in Ayurveda. IRJAY 05(2): 114-117. https://doi.org/10.47223/IRJAY.2022.5220
- Lakshmi, J.N., Babu, A.N., Kiran, S.S.M., Nori, L.P., Hassan, N., Ashames, A. Bhandare, R.R., Shaik, A.B. (2023). Herbs as a source for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review. BioTech (Basel). 12(1): 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/biotech12010004 PMid:36648830 PMCid:PMC9844343
- Alok, S., Jain, S.K., Verma, A., Kumar, M., Mahor, A., Sabharwal, M. (2013). Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): a review. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 3(3): 242-251. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60049-3
- Tandon, V.R. (2005). Medicinal uses and biological activities of Vitex negundo. Nat Prod Rad. 4(3): 162-165.
- Pandey, A.K., Gupta, A., Tiwari, M., Prasad, S., Pandey, A.N., Yadav, P.K., et al. (2018). Impact of stress on female reproductive health disorders: possible beneficial effects of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus). Biomed Pharmacother. 103, 46-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.003 PMid:29635127
- Bano, U., Jabeen, A., Ahmed, A., Siddiqui, M.A. (2015). Therapeutic uses of Vitex nigundo. World J Pharm Med. 4(12): 589-606.
- Jajra, S.D., Panwar, N., Adlakha, M.K., Purvia, R.P., Gautam, V., Singh, C. (2019). Role of (Vitex negundo) nirgundi in pain management. World J Pharm Med. 8(7): 2083-2089.
- Siriwardene, S.D., Kar unathilaka, L.A., Kodituwakku, N.D., Karunarathne, Y.A. (2010). Clinical efficacy of Ayurveda treatment regimen on Subfertility with poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). AYU 31(1): 24-27. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.68203 PMid:22131680 PMCid:PMC3215317
- Kakadia, N., Patel, P., Deshpande, S., Shah, G. (2018). Effect of Vitex negundo L. seeds in letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome. J Tradit Complement Med. 9(4): 336-345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.03.001 PMid:31453130 PMCid:PMC6701941
- Singh, R. (2016). Asparagus racemosus: a review on its phytochemical and therapeutic potential. Nat Prod Res. 30(17): 1896-1908. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2015.1092148 PMid:26463825
- Soren, A.D., Yadav, A.K. (2021). Studies on the anthelmintic potentials of the roots of Asparagus racemosus willed. Clin Phytosci. 7, 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-021-00270-8
- Kafali, H., Iriadam, M., Ozardalı, I., Demir, N. (2004). Letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries in the rat: a new model for cystic ovarian disease. Arch Med Res. 35(2): 103-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2003.10.005 PMid:15010188
- Balasubramanian, A., Pachiappan, S., Mohan, S., Adhikesavan, H., Karuppasamy, I., Ramalingam, K. (2023). Therapeutic exploration of polyherbal formulation against letrozole induced PCOS rats: a mechanistic approach. Heliyon. 9(5): e15488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15488 PMid:37180914 PMCid:PMC10173408
- Weydert, C.J., Cullen, J.J. (2010). Measurement of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in cultured cells and tissue. Nat Protoc. 5(1): 51-66. https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2009.197 PMid:20057381 PMCid:PMC2830880
- Rosenfield, R.L., Ehr mann, D.A. (2016). The pathogenesis of polycystic ovar y syndrome (PCOS): the hypothesis of PCOS as functional ovarian hyperandrogenism revisited. Endocr Rev. 37(5): 467-520. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1104 PMid:27459230 PMCid:PMC5045492
- Gervásio, C.G., Bernuci, M.P., Silva-de-Sá, M.F., Rosa-e-Silva, A.C. (2014). The role of androgen hormones in early follicular development. ISRN Obstet Gynecol. 2014, 818010. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/818010 PMid:25006485 PMCid:PMC4003798
- Chauvin, S., Cohen-Tannoudji, J., Guigon, C.J. (2022). Estradiol signaling at the heart of folliculogenesis: its potential deregulation in human ovarian pathologies. Int J Mol Sci. 23(1): 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010512 PMid:35008938 PMCid:PMC8745567
- Bries, A.E., Webb, J.L., Vogel, B., Carrillo, C., Keating, A.F., Pritchard, S.K., Roslan, G., et al. (2021). Letrozole-induced polycystic ovar y syndrome attenuates cystathionine-β synthase mRNA and protein abundance in the ovaries of female Sprague Dawley rats. J Nutr. 151(6): 1407-1415. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab038 PMid:33758914 PMCid:PMC8169814
- Mandalà, M. (2020). Inf luence of estrogens on uterine vascular adaptation in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Int J Mol Sci. 21(7): 2592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072592 PMid:32276444 PMCid:PMC7177259
- Kuiper, G.G., Lemmen, J.G., Carlsson, B.O., Corton, J.C., Safe, S.H., Van Der Saag, P.T., van der Burg, B., Gustafsson, J.A. (1998). Interaction of estrogenic chemicals and phytoestrogens with estrogen receptor β. Endocrinology. 139(10): 4252-4263. https://doi.org/10.1210/endo.139.10.6216 PMid:9751507
- Sabnis, P.B., Gaitonde, B.B., Jetmalani M. (1968). Effects of alcoholic extracts of Asparagus racemosus on mammary glands of rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 6(1): 55-57.
- Payne, A.H., Hales, D.B. (2004). Overview of steroidogenic enzymes in the pathway from cholesterol to active steroid hormones. Endocr Rev. 25(6): 947-970. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2003-0030 PMid:15583024
- Sun, Y., Zhang, J., Ping, Z., Fan, L., Wang, C., Li, W., Lu, C., Zheng, L., Zhou, X. (2011). Expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in normal and cystic follicles in sows. Afr J Biotechnol. 10(32): 6184-6189.
- Hu, J., Zhang, Z., Shen, W.J., Azhar, S. (2010). Cellular cholesterol deliver y, intracellular processing and utilization for biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Nutr Metab (Lond). 7, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-7-47 PMid:20515451 PMCid:PMC2890697
- Bednarska, S., Siejka, A. (2017). The pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: what’s new? Adv Clin Exp Med. 26(2): 359-367. https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/59380 PMid:28791858
- Dumesic, D.A., Akopians, A.L., Madrigal, V.K., Ramirez, E., Margolis, D.J., Sarma, M.K., Thomas, A.M., et al. (2016). Hyperandrogenism accompanies increased intra-abdominal fat storage in normal weight polycystic ovary syndrome women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 101(11): 4178-4188. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2586 PMid:27571186 PMCid:PMC5095243
- Zhang, Y., Liu, L., Yin, T.L., Yang, J., Xiong, C.L. (2017). Follicular metabolic changes and effects on oocyte quality in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Oncotarget. 8(46): 80472-80480. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19058 PMid:29113318 PMCid:PMC5655213
- Zuo, T., Zhu, M., Xu, W. (2016). Roles of oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome and cancers. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016, 8589318. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/8589318 PMid:26770659 PMCid:PMC4684888
- Younas, A., Hussain, L., Shabbir, A., Asif, M., Hussain, M., Manzoor, F. (2022). Effects of Fagonia indica on letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in young adult female rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022, 1397060. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1397060 PMid:35664938 PMCid:PMC9162856
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2025-0026 | Journal eISSN: 1857-7415
Language: English
Page range: 217 - 228
Submitted on: Jul 9, 2024
Accepted on: Apr 25, 2025
Published on: Aug 8, 2025
Published by: Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year
Keywords:
Related subjects:
© 2025 Angshita Ghosh, Tarun Kumar Kar, Sananda Sil, Ananya Barman, Sandip Chattopadhyay, published by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.