Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (5): 741-748.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2022.05.007

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Protective efficacy of dark chocolate in letrozole-induced ovary toxicity model rats: hormonal, biochemical, and histopathological investigation

Naser Mirazi1(), Sheida Hesami1, Alireza Nourian2, Abdolkarim Hosseini3   

  1. 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517433391, Iran
    2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517433391, Iran
    3 Department of Animal Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
  • Received:2021-11-11 Accepted:2022-02-17 Online:2022-10-15 Published:2022-09-02
  • Contact: Naser Mirazi
  • About author:Prof. Naser Mirazi, Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6517433391, Iran. mirazi205@gmail.com Telephone: +98-91-88125741

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To assess the protective effect of dark chocolate (DC) on the letrozole-induced rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS: In this experimental study, 32 female Wistar rats, weighing (200 ± 20) g, were randomly categorized into 4 groups including control, letrozole (1 mg·kg-1·d-1), metformin (500 mg·kg-1·d-1) along with letrozole, and DC (500 mg·kg-1·d-1) along with letrozole for 28 d by oral gavage. Twenty-four hours after the last supplementation, direct blood sampling was taken from the heart to obtain blood serum for evaluation of sex hormones and gonadotropins, oxidative parameters, inflammatory cytokines, and ovarian tissue was examined for histology.

RESULTS: The DC treatment significantly improved PCOS signs, as demonstrated by the significant restoration of ovarian morphology and physiological functions as compared with the letrozole group. DC treatment also decreased ovarian interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels and improved total oxidative/antioxidative status as compared with the letrozole group.

CONCLUSIONS: Treating the animals with DC could alleviate the PCOS symptoms and reduced the toxic effects of letrozole in the ovary. This effect may mediate through antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.

Key words: chocolate, letrozole, metformin, polycystic ovary syndrome, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents

Cite this article

Naser Mirazi, Sheida Hesami, Alireza Nourian, Abdolkarim Hosseini. Protective efficacy of dark chocolate in letrozole-induced ovary toxicity model rats: hormonal, biochemical, and histopathological investigation[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2022, 42(5): 741-748.