Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hormonal imbalances, ovarian dysfunction, metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular disorders. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves (AESNL) on cardiometabolic and endocrine dysfunctions associated with PCOS in rats. Sixteen female Wistar rats (164.65 ±3.44 g) were divided into four groups (A-D); A-control (n=4) and B, C and D- PCOS-induced (n=12). After induction with anastrozole (1mg/kg/day), PCOS animals (B-D) were orally treated for 14 days with distilled water (0.5ml), co-administration of metformin (7.14mg/kg/day) and clomiphene citrate (2mg/kg/day), and aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum (200mg/kg) respectively. The body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), creatine kinase (CK), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and hormonal concentrations (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, progesterone and insulin) were evaluated. Anastrozole administration resulted in impaired glucose tolerance, increased body weight, altered enzyme activity, hyperandrogenemia, hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia. The result revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the total cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, LH and insulin concentration of AESNL-treated PCOS rats compared to the control rats. The administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of AESNL to PCOS rats significantly (P<0.05) improved fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum CK and ACE activity of PCOS rats compared to the control group. The aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves has the potential to mitigate cardiometabolic and endocrine dysfunctions associated with PCOS. Therefore, it can be explored in novel drug design for the management of the endocrine and cardiometabolic dysfunctions associated with PCOS subject to further experimental validation.