Pharmacological Appraisal of Aqueous Ethanolic Extract of Cuminum cyminum (Cumin Seeds) in Obesity and Endocrinopathies Associated With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Animal Models

A multidisciplinary endocrinopathy affecting women in their reproductive years, polycystic ovarian syndrome, causes insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, cardiovascular issues, obesity, and menstrual difficulties. Cuminum cyminum (cumin seed) is a famous spice traditionally used for various ailments such as indigestion, headache, diarrhea, obesity, and gynecological disorders. This study explored the pharmacological potential of aqueous ethanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum (AECC) in letrozole-induced PCOS animals, which were also obese. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid (HB acid), caffeic acid, vanillic acid, kaempferol, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, coumarin, quercetin, benzoic acid, rutin, and p-coumaric acid. Thirty adult female rats were divided into six groups (5 animals in each group). PCOS was induced by using letrozole (1 mg/kg). The groups were normal control, diseased control, standard (metformin, 20 mg/kg), and AECC (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg). Vaginal smear cytology was used to confirm the PCOS. The animals were euthanized after 12 weeks, and blood was drawn for hormonal and biochemical study. We used isoflurane 5% for euthanasia in a closed chamber. The ovaries were removed for histopathology. Ovarian histopathology showed abnormalities with cystic follicles in PCOS female rats. It also produced hyperinsulinemia, LH surge, lower FSH, perturbed LH/FSH ratio, and higher levels of testosterone and weight gain. Moreover, it also produced oxidative stress with ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. Meanwhile, AECC treatment converted cystic follicles into primary, secondary, and differentiating follicles with healthy granulosa cells and corpus luteum with significant (p < 0.001) weight loss. AECC significantly (p < 0.001) reduced serum insulin levels and normalized LH/FSH ratio, with improved FSH levels and control of LH surge. AECC also reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation with significant (p < 0.001) improvement of antioxidant markers. It has been concluded that AEEC can alleviate PCOS symptoms by improving insulin resistance, reducing weight, addressing hyperandrogenism, regulating the LH/FSH ratio, and overcoming oxidative stress and ROS production.