Effects of Aqueous Extract of Cnestis ferruginea (Vahl Ex DC) Root on the Biochemical and Clinical Parameters of Anastrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Rat Model

Aqueous extract of Cnestis ferruginea root was investigated for its effects on biochemical and clinical parameters of rat model with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Female animals (150.46 ± 2.31 g) assigned to group A were not induced into PCOS, while those in groups B, C, D, E and F were induced into PCOS by oral administration of 0.5 mg/kg body weight of anastrozole dissolved in 1% CMC (2 mL/kg) daily for 21 days. Animals in groups A and B both received 0.5 mL of distilled water while those in groups C, D, E and F received same volume corresponding to 25, 50, 100 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the extract and 7.14 mg/kg bw of metformin, respectively, once daily for thirty days. Weight of the animals, vaginal cytology and levels of some hormones in serum were determined. The extract contained alkaloids (26.80 mg/L), tannins (0.10 mg/L), saponins (4.60 mg/L), flavonoids (14.60 mg/L) and anthraquinones (0.30 mg/L). The irregular and lengthened estrous cycle, absence of follicles in the ovarian stroma, elevated (P<0.05) serum testosterone and reduced (P<0.05) serum progesterone, LH and FSH were reversed and/or attenuated by the extract treatment in a manner similar to metformin. The increase in body weight of the animals was not significantly different. The extract treatment reversed the hyperandrogenemia and attenuated the irregular estrous cycle in PCOS-induced rats. The saponins and flavonoids present in the plant are considered responsible for the clinical benefits of Cnestis ferruginea roots in the management of PCOS.