Study the efficacy of herbal formulation Niśāmalakī in animal model of polycystic ovarian disease syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by insulin resistance which in turn leads to elevated levels of androgens, anovulation, amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea, obesity and polycystic ovaries. Objectives: To evaluate efficacy of herbal formulations-Nishamalaki and Kanchanar Guggulu in animal model of PCOS. Material and Methods: Six female rats of Group I served as control (No Letrozole, no treatment), Letrozole was given 1mg/kg /day for 28 days to induce PCOS in remaining female wistar rats which were then divided into 6 groups of 6 animals each Group II- PCOS disease control, Group III – Clomiphene citrate, Group IV- Nishamalaki, Group V- Metformin, Group VI- Nishamalaki & Metformin and Group VII- Kanchanar Guggulu. Animals were treated orally according to groups for 56 days. Body weight, food intake, Insulin, blood glucose levels and lipid profile checked before and after treatment. Vaginal smear was done daily to study estrous changes. Results: Along with dyslipidaemia, Rats with PCOS showed increase in body weight and insulin levels. Significant reduction in body weight, lipid profile, Blood sugar and insulin was seen in Nishamalaki treated animals but not in Kanchanar Guggulu group. Kanchanar Guggulu and Nishamalaki regularized the cycles in 1st and 3rd weeks respectively. Conclusion: Nishamalaki effectively corrected all changes in PCOS whereas Kanchanar Guggulu only regularized the estrous cycles.