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The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella Sativa seed on dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats: An experimental study
Khani, Samira; Abdollahi, Maasoume; Khalaj, Azam; Heidari, Hamid & Zohali, Somaye
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine
disorders among women.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of
hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed as a plant, the consumption of
which has been recommended in Islam, on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced
PCOS rats.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 36 Wistar female
rats (3 wk, 60 ± 10 gr). Then rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6/each): control; PCOS-induced
(DHEA 60 mg/kg/sc); PCOS+ Metformine (30 mg/kg); and three experimental
groups receiving DHEA + hydroalcoholic extract of N. sativa seeds in doses of 50, 100
and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Blood samples were taken for the evaluation of sexual
hormones, oxidative stress, glucose, and insulin after 30 days of treatment. Ovarian
tissue was used for histopathological study.
Results: The serum levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, glucose, insulin
resistance, malondialdehyde, and insulin (p ≤ 0.001) and estrogen increased while
the levels of progesterone (p = 0.01) and antioxidant enzymes in the PCOS group
decreased (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusion: The administration of the N. sativa extract to the PCOS rats resulted in
remarkable changes in the serumic factors relative to the PCOS group. In addition,
the extract improved the structure of the ovarian tissue in the PCOS rat. The
histopathological results which are in accordance with biochemical findings imply that
N. sativa seed could be useful in the treatment of PCOS, the higher doses of the extract
being more effective.
Keywords
Nigella sativa seed; Oxidative stress; Insulin resistance; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Rat.
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