MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOD)

Abstract

PCOS or polycystic Ovary Syndrome is also known as polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and is a
common endocrine disease that afflicts women of the child-bearing age. Diagnosis of the disorder
involves the imbalance of hormones, abnormal ovulation, hyperandrogenism and the presence of
numerous cysts in the ovaries. Common symptoms of PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles,
infertility, obesity, acne, and excessive hair growth (hirsutism). Besides the reproductive issues, PCOS
is typically linked with a metabolic disorder comprising insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and increased
probability to develop type-2 diabetes and heart diseases. The existing modalities of managing PCOS
are largely based on the management of the symptoms with the help of hormonal therapy, insulin-
sensitizing drugs as well as lifestyle modification. However, the drugs may be counter-productive in
the long-term and may fail to cure the underlying metabolic abnormalities completely. This has also
raised more interests in the use of the medicinal plants as alternative/supplementary therapy in the
treatment of the PCOS. Medicinal plants have penetrated into the systems in traditional medicine
because of their diversity in terms of their pharmacological effects. Endocrine functions, insulin
sensitivity, reduction of oxidative stress and normalization of ovarian activity can be controlled by the
use of such plants. It is reported that some of the herbs like Withania somnifera, Trigonella foenum-
graecum, Mentha spicata, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Linum usitatissimum, Nigella sativa and Gymnema
sylvestre and Ocimum satum have been found to have a positive effect on the treatment of PCOS. The
current review shows the potential pharmacological utility of therapeutic un-modified medicinal
plants of interest that can be applied in the treatment of women with PCOS to enhance their
reproductive and metabolic health.