Effect of Curcumin (Standard and Supplement) with Zinc on Reproductive Hormones in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Rats

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder that affects a large percentage of women worldwide. The pathophysiology is not fully explained. In recent years, complementary and alternative medicine has emerged as a viable treatment option. This study examined how curcumin and zinc affected on reproductive hormones in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It was induced by oral administration of letrozole (1mg/kg/day) for 21 days. PCOS groups were treated over 14 days with curcumin standard 200 mg/kg, curcumin supplement 200 mg/kg, and zinc 30 mg /kg (separately or in combination with two forms of curcumin), and metformin 50 mg/kg as standard treatment. The blood biochemistry of these groups was compared to those of the groups of healthy, PCOS, and those who received metformin. The immunoassay ELISA technique was employed for measuring the concentration of reproductive hormones. The results manifested that the administration of letrozole resulted in a significant elevation (p≤0.05) of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and prolactin associated with a significant decrease p≤0.05) of estrogen and progesterone levels in the PCOS-designed model. The results of effect of curcumin supplement alone and with zinc showed a significant improvement in all parameters by reducing the luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and prolactin. Estrogen and progesterone elevated significantly for all groups, while the elevation was highly significant in both curcumin supplement alone and curcumin supplement with zinc. The treatment with curcumin supplement and their combination with zinc showed promising results in restoring reproductive hormones to the normal level.