Background & aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive ages. Some medicinal plants have chemical compounds that can prevent the occurrence or development of PCOS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem (HEPM) in female rats with polycystic ovary syndrome induced with estradiol valerate.

Methods: In the present experimental study conducted in 2022, 42 adult female Wistar rats (180-200 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7): Control group: (injection of 0.25 ml of normal saline subcutaneously, 0.25 ml of normal saline gavaged, daily). Positive control group: (500 mg/kg HEPM gavaged, daily). Estradiol valerate group: (single subcutaneous injection of estradiol valerate, 2 mg/kg in a volume of 0.25 ml of olive oil). Sham group: (single subcutaneous injection 0.25 ml of olive oil). Treatment group 1 (Estradiol valerate 2 mg/kg in a volume of 0.25 ml of olive oil + HEPM 250 mg/kg gavaged, daily). Treatment group 2 (Estradiol valerate 2 mg/kg in a volume of 0.25 ml of olive oil + HEPM 500 mg/kg gavaged, daily). The experiments lasted for 50 days. After the end of the experiments, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg body weight) and then a blood sample of 5 ml was taken from the inferior vena cava and the ovaries were removed. Blood samples were separated after centrifugation and sent to the laboratory for biochemical and hormonal tests. Collected data were analyzed using Kolmogrof-Smironov statistical tests, one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.

Results: The results indicated that estradiol valerate caused PCOS in rats. The serum level of testosterone hormone in the rats of the estradiol valerate group increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.001). The serum level of estradiol and progesterone hormones in rats of the estradiol valerate group had a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0.001). In treatment groups 1 and 2, there was a significant decrease in testosterone and a significant increase in the serum level of estradiol and progesterone (p<0.001). 

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem due to compounds such as Phytoestrogens, flavonoids and other antioxidant substances are able to protect the ovarian tissue against the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome against estradiol valerate.
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