Ergothioneine and a new food supplement product protect against cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in rats

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by disrupted estrous cycles and impaired folliculogenesis due to oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced POF rat model was used to evaluate the protective effects of ergothioneine (EGT) and a nutraceutical formula (FineNutri Cellular Vitality Capsules) containing EGT. CTX treatment markedly prolonged the estrous cycle, reduced estrus duration, decreased ovarian weight, impaired follicular development, and increased granulosa cell apoptosis. Serum estradiol (E2) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels decreased, whereas luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) increased, reflecting disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis by CTX. CTX treatment induced oxidative stress, with reduced catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) content, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in ovarian tissue. The EGT and the nutraceutical formula restored estrous cycles, increased ovarian weight, improved primordial follicle counts, and reduced atretic follicles and granulosa cell apoptosis. Hormonal balance was partially restored, with increased E2 and AMH and reduced LH and FSH levels. Oxidative stress was alleviated with higher CAT, SOD, and GSH levels and reduced MDA concentrations. In addition, EGT and the formula reduced inflammation in skin tissue. These findings suggest that EGT and the nutraceutical formula could protect against CTX-induced POF and help preserve ovarian function, probably by mitigating oxidative stress.