Potential effects of Mentha piperita (peppermint) on Letrozole- induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in female albino rat.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition of infertility in females and its major hallmark features are hyperandrogenemia and hyperinsulinemia. Mentha piperita (peppermint) has antiandrogenic properties in both animals and women. This study aims to evaluate the protective role of peppermint on Letrozole induced PCOS in female rats. 40 Wistar female rats were divided into 5 groups of 8 each. G1: served as a control group. G2 (vehicle):rats were daily received oral doses of 2ml/kgb.w. of 1% carboxymethylcellulose for 3 weeks. G3: rats were daily administered oral doses of 1mg/kg b.w. of letrozole for 3 weeks. G4: rats were treated with letrozole for 3 weeks to induce PCOS & supplemented with peppermint (40g/L) for further 3 weeks. G: rats were treated with letrozole plus peppermint for 3 weeks. After the treatment, the rats were killed; uteri and ovaries then excised and weighed. Serum hormone levels and histological changes in ovaries & uteri were examined. The results revealed that PCOS-females exhibited marked alterations in serum testosterone, estrogen, LH and FSH activity. PCOS group showed ovarian cysts with a diminished granulosa layer, atretic follicles and a few number of corpora lutea. Also, PCOS group induced massive alterations in the uterine tissue manifested by necrosis in stromal mesenchymal cells, hyperplasia of luminal epithelial cells. All these alterations in ovarian & uterine tissues were ameliorated by supplementation with peppermint. In conclusion, the peppermint found to have a good potential as alternative therapy in the treatment of PCOS.