Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D.Don) G.Don bark fraction ameliorates metabolic, endocrine and ovarian dynamics in rats experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Abstract

In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, Cedrus deodara bark has been utilized as a folk medicine to remove ovarian cysts and treat infertility in females. The present study is the first to investigate ameliorating potential of C. deodara bark on testosterone propionate and high-fat diet-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in experimental rats. LC-MS analysis of the fraction selected through bioassay-guided approach employing uterine relaxant activity was performed to determine the bioactive constituents present in it. Further, the identified compounds were docked on the catalytic site of the androgen receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1. Later, the fraction was investigated against testosterone propionate and high-fat diet-induced PCOS in rats. Chloroform fraction (F1) of the plant bark was found most active in uterine smooth muscle relaxant activity. LC-MS analysis of F1 indicated the presence of key flavonoids namely deodarin, cedrin, deodardione, and cedrusinin. Afterward, a molecular docking study of these compounds revealed impressive binding interactions with androgen receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1. Besides, in vivo studies, treatment with F1 significantly restored the estrous cycle in rats from the diestrus phase in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the disturbed metabolic and endocrine profile was markedly improved in rats. Later, histopathological analysis revealed the presence of a large number of mature follicles and corpora lutea in F1-treated rats. In a nutshell, F1 exhibited promising beneficial effects in PCOS and associated conditions via amelioration of metabolic, endocrine, and ovarian dynamics in experimental rats.