Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Effect of quercetin on biochemical parameters in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

Yanli Hong¹, Yanyun Yin¹, Yong Tan¹, Ke Hong², Fengrong Jiang², Yao Wang³

¹Department of Reproductive Medicine; ²Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; ³Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210000, China.

For correspondence:- Yao Wang Email: yaowang42@hotmail.com Tel:+862586617141

Accepted: 20 August 2018 Published: 30 September 2018

Citation: Hong Y, Yin Y, Tan Y, Hong K, Jiang F, Wang Y. Effect of quercetin on biochemical parameters in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats. Trop J Pharm Res 2018; 17(9):1783-1788 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v17i9.15

© 2018 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of quercetin, a natural flavonoid, on biochemical parameters in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats

Methods: Oral glucose test was performed with the aid of a glucometer. Estradiol, testosterone and steroidogenic enzyme activities were determined using standard protocols. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were determined by standard methods. Histological analysis was carried out with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results: Quercetin exerted protective effects against PCOS in the rat model by enhancing the levels of antioxidant enzymes, viz, CAT, SOD and GPX. Quercetin also prevented weight gain, and caused significant decline in serum glucose levels in PCOS rats. Furthermore, quercetin normalised estradiol and testosterone levels, as well t steroidogenic enzyme activities, but blocked letrozole-induced abnormalities in PCOS. It also exerted protective effects on the anatomy of the ovaries.

Conclusion: These results indicate that quercetin exerts protective effects on letrozole-induced PCOS in rats. Thus, quercetin may be an important lead molecule for the treatment of PCOS

Keywords: Letrozole, Quercetin, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Oxidative stress, Steroidogenic enzymes