Effect of Hawthorn Leaf Flavonoids in Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the potential beneficial effects of hawthorn leaf flavonoids (HLF) against polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a rat model of disease and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods: The PCOS model was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 60 mg/kg/day) for 21 consecutive days. HLF (200 mg/kg/day) were orally administered simultaneously or after the injection. The body weight was regularly monitored and recorded. The ovaries were weighed and histologically examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining. The number of follicular cysts was counted under a light microscope. The serous hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated as HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (µU/L) × fasting glucose (mM)/22.5. The estrous cycle was determined by vaginal smear. The relative expression of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content was determined using commercially available kits. Results: DHEA induced a significant increase of body weight, ovary weight, number of follicular cysts, serous hormones, IR, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress, and it also impaired the estrous cycle. Oral administration of HLF greatly alleviated these complications. Little toxicity of HLF was observed in our rat model. Conclusion: HLF manifest protective effects against PCOS progression in the animal model, which may hold great promise for future clinical applications.

Natural Drugs as a Treatment Strategy for Cardiovascular Disease through the Regulation of Oxidative Stress

“…Hawthorn leaf flavonoids are the extract of the hawthorn dry leaves of Rosaceae . It possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities [ 65 ]. Hawthorn leaf flavonoids were found to enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes and inhibit the oxidative modification of LDL-C, while also improving oxidative stress-induced damage to the rat myocardium through the PKC-alpha signaling pathway.…”

Dietary hawthorn-leaves flavonoids improves ovarian function and liver lipid metabolism in aged breeder hens

“…Hawthorn leaves have been used to treat cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases ( Yin et al, 2014 ). Hawthorn leaves flavonoids ( HF ), extracted from hawthorn leaves, have been proved to exert antihypertensive action, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, and antimicrobial activities ( Fu et al, 2013 ; Shi et al, 2019 ). A previous study has suggested that HF can alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by enhancing the adiponectin/AMPK pathway in NAFLD rats ( Li et al, 2015 ).…”

“…In addition, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH ) rats are intragastrically administered hawthorn leaves flavonoids improves lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway ( Wang et al, 2018a ). The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HF have also been shown to treat cataracts and polycystic ovaries in rats ( Wang et al, 2011b ; Shi, Kong, Yin, Zhang and Wang, 2019 ). However, the effect of HF on the reproduction performance and lipid metabolism of aged breeder hens remains unclear.…”

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.): An Updated Overview on Its Beneficial Properties

“…In another study, mice experienced the promotion of hair growth by taking C. pinnatifida extract through the induction of anagen phase, by mediating cellular signaling activation resulting in high proliferation and survival rate of human dermal papilla cells, as well as by increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, resulting in protection from cell death [146]. Rats with dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome experienced protective effects due to the consumption of hawthorn leaf flavonoids [147].…”