Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome by modulating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway

Introduction: polysaccharides (DOP) have shown multiple pharmacological activities, but their therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms in PCOS remain incompletely understood. Methods: A dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced mouse model of PCOS was established to evaluate the effects of DOP. Estrous cyclicity, ovarian histopathology, serum hormone levels, RT-qPCR, and Western blot analyses were performed to assess reproductive function, endocrine changes, and MAPK/ERK-related signaling. Results: DOP treatment restored estrous cyclicity, improved ovarian morphology, and partially normalized serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone levels. In addition, DOP reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and downregulated the expression of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1. Conclusion: DOP ameliorated reproductive and endocrine abnormalities in a DHEA-induced mouse model of PCOS. The findings suggest that modulation of MAPK/ERK signaling may contribute to the biological effects of DOP, although further mechanistic studies are required to establish causal relationships.