Therapeutic Effect of Notoginsenoside R1 on Insulin-Resistant Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced by DHEA and Fructose in Female Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, insulin resistance, and metabolic abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Notoginsenoside R1 in insulin-resistant PCOS induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and fructose in female Albino Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): vehicle control, disease control (DHEA + fructose), low-dose Notoginsenoside R1 (150 mg/kg), high-dose Notoginsenoside R1 (300 mg/kg), and standard treatment with clomiphene citrate (100 mg/kg). The treatment period lasted for 30 days. Body weight, estrous cycle, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and reproductive hormonal parameters including testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were evaluated. Disease control animals showed typical PCOS features such as increased body weight, elevated testosterone and estrogen levels, reduced progesterone levels, disturbed LH/FSH ratio, and insulin resistance. Treatment with Notoginsenoside R1 significantly improved metabolic and hormonal abnormalities by reducing androgen and estrogen levels, restoring progesterone levels, normalizing the LH/FSH ratio, and improving glucose tolerance.