The Protective Effects of Trans-Anethole against Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced Histopathological and Metabolic Changes in Rat

BACKGROUND: Aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effects of trans-anethole, against polycystic ovary syn- drome (PCOS) induced histopathological and biochemical changes in female Wister rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, forty-eight animals were randomly assigned into 6 groups: con- trol; PCOS; PCOS+trans-anethole (20, 40, 80 mg/kg); and PCOS+metformin (300 mg/kg). Testosterone (1 mg/kg/ day) was injected intraperitoneally for 35 days to induce PCOS. After PCOS induction, animals were treated by trans- anethole and metformin (30 days oral gavage). Finally, serum oxidative stress and insulin levels as well as histological changes in ovaries, kidneys and liver were evaluated. RESULTS: In PCOS group, the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was 1.391 ± 0.18 mmol/L and significantly increased (P=0.000) compared to the control group with the MDA level of 0.35 ± 0.08. Meanwhile the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and total thiol levels were significantly decreased (P=0.000 for all groups), compared to the control group. In the trans-anethole (80 mg/kg) treated group, insulin (P=0.000) and MDA (P=0.000) levels were significantly decreased while total thiol (P=0.001) and activity of SOD (P=0.000) and CAT (P=0.007) were significantly increased compared to the PCOS group. In the metformin treated group the insulin level (P=0.03) decreased compared to the PCOS group. Histological evaluation showed multiple cysts in the ovarian tissue, an increase in inflammatory cells in the liver, and a loss of order in the structure of the tubules and glomeruli of the kidney in the PCOS group. Tissue damage was reduced in the trans-anethole treated group. CONCLUSION: Tarns-anethole at a dose of 80 mg/kg improved metabolic status, oxidative stress, liver and kidney dam- age as well as the cystic mass of ovarian tissue. To understand the exact protective effects of trans-anethole in PCOS, more experimental or clinical studies are suggested.