Oriental Medicine Kyung-Ok-Ko Prevents and Alleviates Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Rats

Abstract

Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK), a traditional herbal prescription composed of Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz var. purpurae, Lycium chinense, Aquillaria agallocha, Poria cocos, Panax ginseng, and honey, has been widely used in traditional Oriental medicine as a vitalizing medicine or as the prescription for patients with age-associated disorders such as amnesia and stroke. However, the potential protective value of KOK for the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is largely unknown. We investigated whether pre-administration (daily from 2 hours before PCOS induction) and post-administration (daily after induction of PCOS) of KOK (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg/day, p.o.) could have a protective effect in a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, s.c.)-induced PCOS rat model. Pre-administration of KOK significantly decreased the elevated body weight and ovary weight, elevated size and number of follicular cysts, elevated level of serum glucose, and estradiol after DHEA injection. KOK reduced the elevated percentage of CD8 (+) T lymphocytes in lymph nodes, the elevated mRNA expression of CD11b and CD3 in ovaries, and infiltration of macrophages in ovarian tissue with PCOS. KOK diminished the increased mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1), and iNOS in the ovaries, and increased the reduced mRNA expression of growth factors (EGF, TGF-β) by DHEA injection. Post-administration of KOK also improved the DHEA-induced PCOS-like symptoms, generally similar to those evident from pre-administration of KOK. KOK may effectively prevent and improve DHEA-induced PCOS via anti-inflammatory action, indicating its preventive and therapeutic potential for suppressing PCOS.

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

“…In this study, we investigated IR in PCOS model rats by measuring fasting blood insulin and glucose and calculating the HOMA-IR index. In line with previous reports [16], our data demonstrated stimulated IR in DHEA-treated ovaries which was then readily alleviated by oral administration of HLF.…”

“…The method for establishment of PCOS rat model referred to the protocol described by Jang et al [16]. The experimental schema is illustrated in Figure 1.…”

“…Sander et al [19] demonstrated that metformin restored ovulation in PCOS and improved ovarian-related parameters in DHEA androgenized mice. Jang et al [16] reported that the oriental medicine, Kyung-ok-ko, decreased the size and number of follicular cysts, restored estrous cycle arrest, and decreased elevated serum estradiol in PCOS rats. We assessed the effect of HLF against PCOS in the DHEA-induced disease model.…”

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 …”

Potential benefits of adlay on hyperandrogenism in human chorionic gonadotropin-treated theca cells and a rodent model of polycystic ovary syndrome

“…These results indicated that adlay extracts also contain components that could inhibit signal transduction pathways of the androgen receptor. Jang et al (2014) demonstrated that the traditional Chinese herb Kyung-Ok-Ko (KOK; qiong-yu-gao in Chinese; kei-gyokukou in Japanese) is a traditional Oriental medicine that can improve DHEA-induced PCOS in animal models. This study also used an animal model of DHEA-induced PCOS to demonstrate that the AHE-EA possessed significant inhibitory effects on hyperandrogenemia in PCOS rats; the AHE-EA improved IR, oxidative stress, liver function, and inflammatory responses in PCOS rats.…”