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 syndrome (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: control; 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 transanethole 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 damage 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.