Conventional therapies for Polycystic ovary syndrome often have limited efficacy and adverse effects, underscoring the need for safer alternatives. Ocimum tenuiflorum L., a medicinal plant with well-documented antioxidant and anti-androgenic properties, has emerged as a promising candidate for investigation in PCOS management. To investigate the beneficial effects of active Ocimum tenuiflorum L. extracts in letrozole induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat models. Seven groups of rats (6 rats in each group) were examined. Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant studies were carried out to identify the active extracts of the Ocimum tenuiflorum . The methanol (OTM) and ethyl acetate (OTEA) extracts were chosen for in vivo studies. The control group was treated with the vehicle, 1% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and other six groups were induced PCOS by administering letrozole (1 mg/kg, orally) for 21 days. After induction, rats were orally administered methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) for 15 consecutive days, the reference group was given metformin (25 mg/kg) for the same period. Vaginal cytology was performed to monitor the changes in estrous cycle and body weight was measured to evaluate metabolic changes. Specifically, blood was obtained for analysis of serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, LH, fasting glucose levels, lipid profile and other biochemical parameters (including CRP). After euthanasia, the ovaries were removed for determination of ovarian weight and diameter, histopathological examination and oxidative stress markers. Polycystic ovary syndrome induction was confirmed by irregular estrus cycles, increased testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and characteristic histological changes. All groups treated with methanolic (OTM) and ethyl acetate (OTEA) extracts of Ocimum tenuiflorum showed significant decrease in LH and testosterone levels ( P < 0.0001). Histopathological studies on the ovaries of metformin and extract treated rats showed regressed follicular changes, smaller number and size of cystic follicles when compared to PCOS group. Compared with control, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were significantly decreased, while testosterone, estrogen, cholesterol, LH, triglycerides, glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) of letrozole-induced PCOS rats were substantially increased. These pathological changes were significantly reversed by metformin and Ocimum tenuiflorum extracts. Our findings suggest that methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Ocimum tenuiflorum ameliorate hormonal, metabolic, oxidative, and histological abnormalities in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. • Methanolic and ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum possessed highest antioxidant activity. • Metformin and extract treated PCOS rats revealed regular phases of estrous cycle compared to PCOS group. • OTM and OTEA extracts significantly reduced deranged hormonal and biochemical parameters in PCOS rats. • Metformin and extract treated PCOS groups showed normal follicular growth and disappearance of cysts. • PCOS group showed substantial rise in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. • Antioxidant enzyme activity of PCOS group was significantly lower than control group.
Rashid et al. (Thu,) studied this question.