Bak Foong pills combined with metformin in the treatment of a polycystic ovarian syndrome rat model

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate the treatment effects and associated mechanism of Bak Foong pills (BFPs) combined with metformin in the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). BFPs and/or metformin were administrated to treat the PCOS rats, and the weights and morphologies of the ovary, uterus and adrenal gland were measured. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone, fasting insulin (FIN) and insulin-like growth factor-1 were also measured, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The expression level of androgen receptor (AR) in the ovarian tissue, and the cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) mRNA levels in the ovary and adrenal tissues were detected. The levels of T, FIN, FBG and HOMA-IR in the combination group were significantly reduced; the wet weights of the ovary and the adrenal gland were decreased significantly, while that of the uterus was increased, and the histological morphology benignly recovered. The rats of each treatment group all experienced restored ovulation. The AR expression level in the treatment group was reduced, and the P450scc mRNA levels in the ovary and the adrenal gland of the combined treatment group were decreased. BFPs combined with metformin significantly affected PCOS, and the possible mechanism involved in the treatment may have been through the reduction of P450scc generation. BFPs may reduce the androgen levels, thus allowing the ovary to restore ovulation.

Animal models of polycystic ovary syndrome: A review of hormone‐induced rodent models focused on hypothalamus‐pituitary‐ovary axis and neuropeptides

“…Ovary weight in postnatal DHEA‐treated rats was increased relative to that in controls; this was accompanied by ovarian cyst expansion, an increased number of cystic follicles, granular cell layer thinning, and thickening of the theca cell layer . DHEA‐treated mice showed normal ovary weight and growing follicle and CL populations …”

“…Women with PCOS have high levels of DHEA; therefore, DHEA is administered to rodents to generate PCOS models. A typical protocol is 6 mg/100 g body weight/day starting from postnatal day 21 to 23 for about 20‐40 consecutive days . DHEA has been administered by implantation of 7.5‐mg 90‐day continuous‐release pellets in mouse models …”

“…A typical protocol is 6 mg/100 g body weight/day starting from postnatal day 21 to 23 for about 20-40 consecutive days. [25][26][27] DHEA has been administered by implantation of 7.5-mg 90-day continuous-release pellets in mouse models. 28…”

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for the rapid analysis of constituents in the traditional Chinese medicine formula Wu Ji Bai Feng Pill

“…Wu Ji Bai Feng Pill (WJBFP) is a well‐known TCM formula that has been widely prescribed in clinical practice in China and other Asian countries, composed of 14 plant and six animal crude materials, namely, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Rehmanniae Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Asparagi Radix, Stellariae Radix, Euryales Semen, Gallus Domesticus (black bone chicken), Cervi Cornus Colla, Cervi Cornu Degelatinatum, Ostreae Concha, Trionycis Carapax, and Mantidis Oötheca . According to TCM theories, WJBFP possesses beneficial effects of warm reinforcing, nourishing yin , resolving blood stasis, and harmonizing the body to treat gynecological disorders such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility for hundreds of years . Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that WJBFP was reasonably combined, and was recognized as a prescription for tonifying the kidney, ovary, and uterus from a whole aspect, thus reducing the androgen level, promoting the follicular development, as well as improving the ovulation disorders .…”

“…According to TCM theories, WJBFP possesses beneficial effects of warm reinforcing, nourishing yin , resolving blood stasis, and harmonizing the body to treat gynecological disorders such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and infertility for hundreds of years . Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that WJBFP was reasonably combined, and was recognized as a prescription for tonifying the kidney, ovary, and uterus from a whole aspect, thus reducing the androgen level, promoting the follicular development, as well as improving the ovulation disorders . Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the chemical constituents in WJBFP to interpret its pharmacological material basis.…”