A comparison between the effect of trans-anethole and metformin on biochemical parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

OBJECTIVE: The effect of trans-anethole and metformin on biochemical and hormonal changes of testosterone-induced Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wister rats (n=48) were randomly divided into six groups: control; PCOS; PCOS+metformin (300 mg/kg); and PCOS+trans-anethole (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). PCOS was induced by intraperitoneal injection of testosterone (1 mg/kg/day) for 35 days. After induction of PCOS, trans-anethole and metformin were given orally for 30 days. Finally, blood sugar, insulin, lipid profile, and testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) as well as animals’ weight, and water and food intake were determined. RESULTS: In all treated and untreated PCOS groups, serum testosterone levels were significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.001 for all groups). Treatment of rats with trans-anethole or metformin significantly reduced serum levels of cholesterol, insulin, triglycerides, testosterone and DHEAS (only in PCOS+trans-anethole groups) compared to the PCOS group (p<0.01-p<0.001). Weight gain in the PCOS animals increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.001), while in the metformin- and trans-anethole (40 and 80)-treated animals it decreased significantly compared to the PCOS group (p<0.01-p<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results showed that trans-anethole significantly decreased serum levels of insulin, DHEAS and blood lipids. It can be concluded that trans-anethole ameliorates PCOS biochemical and hormonal change in PCOS rats; therefore, it might be suggested as a beneficial remedy for further clinical evaluations in PCOS patients.