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. 2017 Sep;15(9):561-568.

Comparison of the effects of Ginger extract with clomiphene citrate on sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Shekoufeh Atashpour  1   2 , Hossein Kargar Jahromi  1   3 , Zahra Kargar Jahromi  3 , Mozhgan Maleknasab  4
Affiliations

Comparison of the effects of Ginger extract with clomiphene citrate on sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Shekoufeh Atashpour et al. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. Clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance.

Objective: In this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen and progesterone in order to treat PCOS effectively with fewer side effects.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 63 adult female rats (170-200 gr) were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control (not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days), sham (were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days), and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate (PCOS inducing agent, intramuscular) alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) orally daily for 60 and 89 days. Sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups.

Results: Our results showed that in the PCOS-induced group, LH and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and FSH concentration decreased remarkably (p<0.05) as compared to control group. Furthermore, in groups receiving clomiphene and ginger extract, we demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvement in hormonal secretion as compared to the PCOS-induced group. Clomiphene, compared with the lower dose of ginger extract, had a better improving effect on balancing sexual hormones in PCOS. Moreover, ginger extract at higher doses has better effects in improving PCOS.

Conclusion: As the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS.

Keywords: Clomiphene citrate; Ginger; Polycystic ovarian syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest exists.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of estradiol valerate, clomiphene and ginger extract on serum levels of LH. All data represent Mean±SEM. a: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and sham/control groups, b: Significant difference (p<0.001) between treatment groups and sham/control groups, c: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and treatment groups
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of estradiol valerate, clomiphene and ginger extract on serum levels of FSH. All data represent Mean±SEM. a: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and sham/control groups, b: Significant difference (p<0.001) between treatment groups and sham/control groups, c: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and treatment groups
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect of estradiol valerate, clomiphene and ginger extract on serum levels of estrogen. All data represent Mean±SEM. a: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and sham/control groups, b: Significant difference (p<0.001) between treatment groups and sham/control groups, c: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and treatment groups
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of estradiol valerate, clomiphene and ginger extract on serum levels of progesterone. All data represent Mean±SEM. a: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and sham/control groups, b: Significant difference (p<0.001) between treatment groups and sham/control groups, c: Significant difference (p<0.001) between PCO groups and treatment groups
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