Effect of berberine on polycyctic ovary syndrome induced by letrozole in adult female Wistar rats

Berberine which is the major active component of Berberis vulgaris, has been widely used in traditional medicine and has an antioxidant activity against oxidative stress. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive-aged women. PCOS is often associated with a metabolic syndrome. In the present study, the effect of berberine on letrozole-induced PCOS was investigated in adult female Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: normal control, berberine (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg intragastrically, daily) alone, PCOS control rats (letrozole, 1 mg/kg, intragastrically, daily), berberine (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg intragastrically, daily) together with (letrozole 1 mg/kg, intragastrically, daily), and treatment was performed accordingly. Administration of berberine was started 30 minutes before the first dose of letrozole and continued up to 28 days. The animals were euthanized 24 hours after the last dose of the treatment. Antioxidant activity was tested by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes as well as the amount of malondialdehyde in ovarian tissue homogenates. The findings of the present study showed that berberine increases antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreases malondialdehyde levels. The results of this study suggest that berberine treatment may be beneficial in letrozole-induced PCOS in rats.