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 ischolar_main 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 ischolar_mains in the management of PCOS.