Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (using Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract) improve the fertility status of rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Abstract

This study is aimed to investigate the effectiveness of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the fertility status of female rats with estradiol valerate (EV)-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). AgNPs were synthesized using C. zeylanicum extract and characterized by SEM, AFM, FTIR, XRD, zeta potential and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Fifty female rats were divided into five groups (n = 10). The control groups were vehicle control (GI, received corn oil of 0.2 ml only) and PCOS control (GII, received EV only). While, the treatment groups were GIII (treated with C. zeylanicum methanolic extract 200 mg/kg body weight), GIV (treated with metformin 50 mg/kg body weight) and GV (treated with 3.53 mg/kg body weight biosynthesized AgNPs). The treatment duration was 30 days. The protective effects of these treatments against PCOS were assessed by routine vaginal smear examination, sex hormones levels (LH, FSH, E2, progesterone and testosterone), histopathologic features and the fertility rate. When compared with PCOS rats, AgNPs treatment increased serum FSH and progesterone levels and decreased E2 and testosterone significantly. Histopathologic examination showed that the EV-induced PCOS group developed polycysts in their ovaries and those changes reduced or disappeared in the treated groups. Moreover, the treatment with C. zeylanicum extract and AgNPs have effectively improved the estrus cycle as well as the fertility rate in treated groups compared with PCOS group. Our findings suggest that biosynthesized AgNPs can improve the fertility rate and estrous cycle by regulating sex hormones involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS.