Comparing the Therapeutic Effects of ۶-Gingerol and Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Ginger on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Wistar rat

Background and aims: PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by amenorrhea, hyper androgens, hirsutism, chronic anovulation and infertility. The aim of the present study was determining the effects of ginger extract, and ۶-gingerol on hormonal levels and ovarian follicles in induced PCOS rats, and comparing the ameliorating effects of these two substances for treatment of PCOS.Methods: In this experimental research, ۴۲ adult female Wistar rats weighting between ۱۶۰ g-۱۸۰ g were divided into six groups of ۷ animals. PCOS control that received no injection. PCOS received intraperitoneal injections of ۱۰۰ mg/kg of ginger extract (for ۲۸ days). Statistical analyses with SPSS, one-way ANOVA, T-test and Duncan test wereused to compare groups.Results: In comparison with PCOS control, the treatment of PCOS rats with ginger extract (۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ mg/kg) and ۶-gingerol (۲۰۰ and ۴۰۰ µg/kg) led to significant decrease in LH levels. There was a decrease in FSH levels, but the significant one was only in the ۶-gingerol treated group (۴۰۰ µg/kg). In PCOS treated groups with gingerextract and ۶-gingerol, the serum levels of estradiol decreased significantly compared to control and PCOS control groups (P<۰.۰۰۱). Progesterone levels in PCOS groups injected with ginger extract and ۶-gingerol showed a significant increase (P<۰.۰۵). In PCOS treated groups with ginger extract and ۶-gingerol, testosterone levels decreasedsignificantly (P<۰.۰۰۱, P<۰.۰۱, P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: ۶-gingerol and ginger extract may be a useful treatment for improving the PCOS through reduction of estrogen, testosterone, LH and FSH, and improvement of ovulation. In fact, because of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger components, especially ۶-gingerol, they can cause to improve PCOS

Keywords:

Ginger , ۶- gingerol , PCOS , Estradiol valerate , Rat