Cited by 52Ovarian function and disordersReproductive Biology and FertilityNatural Antidiabetic Agents Studies

Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Herbal Medicines for Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review

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Kwon, Chan-Young, Cho, Ik-Hyun, Park, Kyoung Sun·2020·Frontiers in Pharmacology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders of endocrinology in reproductive-age women. In this study, we reviewed data on the effects and underlying mechanisms of herbal medicines used in the treatment of PCOS in laboratory studies. METHODS: Articles published in English up to June 30, 2018 were searched in Medline and EMBASE. We extracted data regarding herbal intervention; target cell (or animal model) usage; method of herbal extraction; route of administration; dosage and periods; and outcomes of the compounds isolated from herbs, individual herbal extracts, and herbal formula decoctions. We summarized the actions and the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on PCOS. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies involving 22 herbal medicines reported their efficacy on PCOS. The herbal interventions in the 27 studies comprised four compounds isolated from herbs (6 studies), nine individual herbal extracts (11 studies), and nine herbal formula decoctions (10 studies). Herbal medicines normalized female hormones, diminished male hormones, recovered the estrous cycle, ameliorated insulin resistance, and improved lipid metabolism in PCOS. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on PCOS were found to be associated with anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, inhibition of autophagy and/or apoptosis, and ovarian nerve growth factor reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal medicines are thought to be promising resources in the development of effective therapeutic agents for PCOS. Further studies that include methodological quality assessment and quantitative synthesis of outcomes are recommended.

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  1. Mannerås L. Fazliana M. Nazaimoon W. W. Lönn M. Gu H. Östenson C. (2010). Beneficial metabolic effects of the Malaysian herb Labisia pumila var. alata in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. J. Ethnopharmacol. 127 (2), 346– 351. 19883744
  2. Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group (2004). Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility Sterility 81 (1), 19– 25. 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.10.004 14711538 · DOI · Paper page

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Authors
Kwon, C.-Y., Cho, I.-H., & Park, K. S.
Affiliations
  • Dong-Eui University (KR)
  • Kyung Hee University (KR)
  • Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine (KR)
Corresponding author
  • Cho, Ik-Hyun
  • Park, Kyoung Sun
Venue
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Published
2020-08-12
Volume
11
Pages
1192-1192
ISSN
1663-9812 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3048756020
Cited by
52
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3
FWCI
0.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Pharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2017R1C1B1006387)
  • Korean Society of Ginseng (2019)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Natural Antidiabetic Agents Studies
Keywords
polycystic ovary syndrome, herbal medicine, plant extracts, herbal compounds, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, androgen reduction, estrous cycle, anti-inflammatory activity, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, nerve growth factor, ovarian function, women of reproductive age

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