Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) reversed the effects of letrozole-induced aromatase inhibition in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Jonathan Noubouossie Pouegue; Marie Alfrede Mvondo

doi:10.1515/jcim-2022-0352

Article

Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) reversed the effects of letrozole-induced aromatase inhibition in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Jonathan Noubouossie Pouegue and Marie Alfrede Mvondo

Published/Copyright: January 9, 2023

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From the journal Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Volume 20 Issue 2

Abstract

Objectives

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy affecting 5–20% of women of childbearing age. There is no single drug for the treatment of PCOS and current therapies have significant side effects. This study evaluated the ability of Milica excelsa to improve PCOS symptoms in rats.

Methods

Induction of PCOS was achieved using letrozole (a reversible aromatase inhibitor; 1 mg/kg; given orally for 21 days). From day 22, PCOS rats received the aqueous extract of M. excelsa roots (14 and 140 mg/kg). Clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg) was administered to the positive control. The negative and the normal controls received the vehicle (5% DMSO). Treatments were given orally for 7 or 14 days. Vaginal smears were scrutinized daily during the experiment. Body weight was measured hebdomadal. Animals were sacrificed after the two treatment periods for biochemical and histological analyses.

Results

Aromatase inhibition caused hyperandrogenism (p<0.001), overweight (p<0.001) and fat accumulation (p<0.001). It also blocked the estrous cycle at the diestrus phase and altered ovarian dynamics as evidenced by the accumulation of cystic (p<0.001) and atretic (p<0.001) follicles. In contrast, M. excelsa induced weight loss (p<0.001), reduction in fat weight (p<0001), and lower serum androgen and LH levels (p<0.001). It also restored the estrous cycle and improved ovarian dynamics by increasing the amount of Graafian follicles (p<0.001) and corpora lutea (p<0.001), and decreasing that of cystic and atretic follicles (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Milica excelsa corrected hyperandrogenism and overweight in PCOS animals, and reduced cyst formation and follicle atresia in their ovaries.

Keywords: aromatase inhibition; estrous cycle; letrozole; Milicia excelsa ; polycystic ovary syndrome

Corresponding author: Marie Alfrede Mvondo, Department of Animal Biology, Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology Research Unit, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 67, Dschang, Cameroon, Phone: (+237) 696246266, E-mail: mvondo.mariealfrede@yahoo.com

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology Research Unit of the University of Dschang for material support.

Research funding: None declared.
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Not applicable.
Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.

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Received: 2022-10-07

Accepted: 2022-12-28

Published Online: 2023-01-09

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2022-0352

Keywords for this article

aromatase inhibition; estrous cycle; letrozole; Milicia excelsa; polycystic ovary syndrome