Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Effects of Chamomile Extract on Biochemical and Clinical Parameters in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Authors
Farideh Zafari Zangeneh 1
Bagher Minaie 2
Ashraf Amirzargar 3
Akram Ahangarpour 3
Kazem Mousavizadeh 4
1 Vali-e- Asar Reproductive Health Research Center,Tehran Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ahwaz Medical Sciences University, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Research Institute for Islamic & Complementary Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with ovulatory dysfunction. Presently, little is known about the primary factors that initiate PCOS. Chamomile flowers are used in alternative medicine for its anti-spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects. Antispasmodic properties of chamomile ease menstrual cramps and lessen the possibility of premature labor. This medicinal herb also stimulates menstruation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Chamomile alcoholic-extract on the biochemical and clinical parameters in a rat model of PCOS. Materials and Methods: Estrous cyclicity of 30 virgin adult cycling rats was monitored by vaginal smears obtained between 0800 and 1200 hours. After about 4 days, each rat received an i.m. injection of Estradiol Valerate (Aburaihan Co., Iran), 2 mg in 0.2 ml of corn oil, to induce PCO. Corn oil was injected to the rats in the control group. All the rats in the experimental group were evaluated for follicular cysts 60 days after the injection. Rats with PCOS were treated by multiple doses (25, 50, 75 mg/kg) of intraperitoneal injections of Chamomile alcoholic-extract for ten days. The data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of p < 0.05 by ANOVA, followed by the Student Newman-Keuls post hoc test. Results: The histological and hormonal results showed that Chamomile can decrease the signs of PCOS in the ovarian tissue and help LH secretion in rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The alcoholic-extract of dried Matricaria chamomilla L. flowers can not only induce recovery from a PCO induced state in rats, but also increase dominant follicles. Additionally better endometrial tissue arrangements can be regarded as another therapeutic effect of Chamomile.
Keywords
anovulation
chamomile
Estradiol valerate (EV)
Extract
Infertility
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Rat
  1. Tsilchorozidou T, Overton C, Conway GS. The pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2004;60(1):1-17.
  2. Norman RJ, Wu R, Stankiewicz MT. 4: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Med J Aust. 2004;180(3):132-7. Review.
  3. Kannel WB. The Framingham Study: historical insight on the impact of cardiovascular risk factors in men versus women. J Gend Specif Med. 2002;5 (2):27-37.
  4. Dahlgren E, Janson PO, Johansson S, Lapidus L, Lindstedt G, Tengborn L. Hemostatic and metabolic variables in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 1994;61(3):455-60.
  5. Dahlgren E, Janson PO, Johansson S, Lapidus L, Odén A. Polycystic ovary syndrome and risk for myocardial infarction. Evaluated from a risk factor model based on a prospective population study of women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1992;71(8): 599-604.
  6. Vrbíková J, Cífková R, Jirkovská A, Lánská V, Platilová H, Zamrazil V, et al. Cardiovascular risk factors in young Czech females with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2003;18(5):980-4.
  7. Achard A, Thiers A. [The pilar insufficient glycolytic virilism and its association year I (Diabetes bearded women)]. Bull Acad Natl Med.1991;86:51-83. French.
  8. Stein IF, Leventhal ML. Amenorrha associated with bilateral polycystic ovaries. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1935;29:181-91.
  9. Brawer JR, Munoz M, Farookhi R. Development of the polycystic ovarian condition (PCO) in the estradiol valerate-treated rat. Biol Reprod. 1986;35 (3):647-55.
  10. Maschi O, Cero ED, Galli GV, Caruso D, Bosisio E, Dell'Agli M. Inhibition of human cAMPphosphodiesterase as a mechanism of the spasmolytic effect of Matricaria recutita L. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(13):5015-20.
  11. Ziyan L, Yongmei Z, Nan Z, Ning T, Baolin L. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of luteolin in experimental animal models. Planta Med. 2007;73(3):221-6.
  12. Avallone R, Zanoli P, Puia G, Kleinschnitz M, Schreier P, Baraldi M. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000;59(11): 1387-94.
  13. Brueggemeier RW, Gu X, Mobley JA, Joomprabutra S, Bhat AS, Whetstone JL. Effects of phytoestrogens and synthetic combinatorial libraries on aromatase, estrogen biosynthesis, and metabolism. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001;948:51-66.
  14. Medina JH, Pena C, Levi de Stein M. Benzodiazepine-like molecules, as well as other ligands for the brain benzodiazepine receptors, are relatively common constituents of plants. J Biochem Biophys Res. 1989;165(2):547-53.
  15. Zava DT, Duwe G. Estrogenic and antiproliferative properties of genistein and other flavonoids in human breast cancer cells in vitro. Nutr Cancer. 1997;27(1):31-40.
  16. Szukiewicz D, Uilenbroek JT. Polycystic ovary syndrome--searching for an animal model. J Med. 1998;29(5-6):259-75.
  17. Chrousos GP. Regulation and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The corticotropin-releasing hormone perspective. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 1992;21(4):833-58.
  18. Malyala A, Kelly MJ, Rønnekleiv OK. Estrogen modulation of hypothalamic neurons: activation of multiple signaling pathways and gene expression changes. Steroids. 2005;70(5-7):397-406.
  19. Demling J, Fuchs E, Baumert M, Wuttke W. Preoptic catecholamine, GABA, and glutamate release in ovariectomized and ovariectomized estrogenprimed rats utilizing a push-pull cannula technique. Neuroendocrinology. 1985;41(3):212-8.
  20. Jarry H, Leonhardt S, Schwarze T, Wuttke W. Preoptic rather than mediobasal hypothalamic amino acid neurotransmitter release regulates GnRH secretion during the estrogen-induced LH surge in the ovariectomized rat. Neuroendocrinology. 1995;62(5):479-86.
  21. Handa JR, Hayashi S, Terasawa E, Kawata M. Neuroplasticity, development, and steroid hormone action. USA: CRC Press; 2002. p. 173.
  22. Scott CJ, Clarke IJ. Inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion in ovariectomized ewes during the breeding season by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is mediated by GABA-A receptors, but not GABA-B receptors. Endocrinology. 1993;132 (4):1789-96.
  23. Kimura F, Jinnai K. Bicuculline infusions advance the timing of luteinizing hormone surge in proestrous rats: comparisons with naloxone effects. Horm Behav. 1994;28(4):424-30.
  24. Ciechanowska M, Lapot M, Malewski T, Mateusiak K, Misztal T, Przekop F. Effects of GABA(A) receptor modulation on the expression of GnRH gene and GnRH receptor (GnRH-R) gene in the hypothalamus and GnRH-R gene in the anterior pituitary gland of follicular-phase ewes. Anim Reprod Sci. 2009;111(2-4):235-48.
  25. Wang F, Shing M, Huen Y, Tsang SY, Xue H. Neuroactive flavonoids interacting with GABAA receptor complex. Curr Drug Targets CNS Neurol Disord. 2005;4(5):575-85.
  26. Kahnberg P, Lager E, Rosenberg C, Schougaard J, Camet L, Sterner O, et al. Refinement and evaluation of a pharmacophore model for flavone derivatives binding to the benzodiazepine site of the GABA(A) receptor. J Med Chem. 2002;45(19): 4188-201.
  27. Svenningsen AB, Madsen KD, Liljefors T, Stafford GI, van Staden J, Jäger AK. Biflavones from Rhus species with affinity for the GABA(A)/ benzodiazepine receptor. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006; 103(2):276-80.
  28. Julião LD, Leitão SG, Lotti C, Picinelli AL, Rastrelli L, Fernandes PD, et al. Flavones and phenylpropanoids from a sedative extract of Lantana trifolia L. Phytochemistry. 2010;71(2-3): 294-300.
Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 11, Issue 3
Autumn 2010
Pages 169-174