Phytotherapy of polycystic ovary syndrome: A review

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous disease with various symptoms, which can affect females of reproductive age. Endocrine and metabolic abnormalities such as infertility, being overweight or obese, type 2 diabetes, hyperandrogenism and increased luteinizing hormone (LH) are common in women with PCOS. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to assess the efficacy of non-chemical and herbal substances for PCOS recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The keywords “non-chemical treatment”, “herbal treatment”, “polycystic ovary syndrome” and “PCOS” were used to search for articles in the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Reaxys, published from January 2009 to December 2019. RESULTS: 34 relevant studies were found and were briefly described in this review. The most effective herbal treatments in animal models of PCOS were used to restore abnormality in serum sex steroid profile, LH: follicle stimulating hormone ratio, steroidogenic enzymes, cardiovascular parameters, lipid profile, and glucose and estrous cycles. In PCOS patients, positive effects on PCOS due to reductions in testosterone, estrogen, LH, LH: follicle stimulating hormone ratio, and insulin levels were observed. CONCLUSION: The results of this reviewrevealed the variability and efficacy of phytotherapy and non-chemical treatments associated with PCOS disease. These findings may help future studies on the etiology and treatment of this syndrome.