Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common, complex, and heterogeneous endocrine disorder of women that involves a combination of environmental and genetic factors. PCOS affects women of growing age particularly at the early to late reproductive stage (15–35 years). Currently, PCOS affects 1 in every 10 women worldwide. It is characterized majorly by a raised level of androgens such as testosterone and a large number of ovarian cysts (more than 10) that cause anovulation, infertility, and irregular menstrual cycle. PCOS is also related to other endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, such as obesity, hirsutism, acne, diabetes, insulin resistance, and glucose impairment. PCOS can be treated with allopathic, ayurvedic, and natural or herbal medications along with lifestyle modifications. Herbal medicines remained in demand for numerous reasons such as high cost and side effects associated with the use of allopathic medicine and our traditional norms, which have helped humans to use more herbal products for their health benefits. Estrogenic and nonestrogenic phytochemicals present in various plant species such as Glycyrrhiza glabra L. [Fabaceae], Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. [Asphodelaceae], Silybum marianum (L.). Gaertn. [Asteraceae], Serenoa repens (W.Bartram) Small [Arecaceae], Actaea racemosa L. [Ranunculaceae], and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels [Apiaceae] are effective and harmless. Herbal medicines are found to be cost-effective, efficacious, and a highly esteemed source of management/treatment for PCOS than allopathic medicines. In this literature review, diagnosis, signs, and symptoms of PCOS; causes of hormonal imbalance; and risk factors associated with PCOS and their management are discussed briefly, and the focus was to find out the role of herbal remedies in PCOS management.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a multidisciplinary endocrinopathy of reproductive-aged women that provokes insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, cardiovascular problems, obesity, and menstrual complications. The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Fagonia indica in letrozole-induced PCOS young adult female rats. HPLC was carried out to find the phenolic and flavonoid content of the ethanolic extract of Fagonia indica. Twenty-five female rats were taken and initially divided into two groups: group I (control group) and group II (PCOS group). PCOS was induced by letrozole given orally by gavage. Body weight was recorded weekly and vaginal cytology was analyzed daily. After induction of disease, the PCOS group is further divided into four groups (n=5): group II (positive control with PCOS), group III (metformin 20mg/kg treated group), group IV (ethanolic extract of Fagonia indica 500mg/kg treated group), and group V (metformin plus Fagonia extract). At the end of experimental period, the blood sample of each rat was collected and serum was separated by centrifugation. Afterwards hormonal analysis, lipid profile and liver functioning tests were performed. Ovaries were removed and preserved for histopathological findings while the liver of each rat was stored for the determination of antioxidant potential assessment. Fagonia indica was found to possess quercetin as one of the major flavonoid phytoconstituents. The plant extract exhibited its beneficial effects by restoring hormonal balance, lipid profile, and liver functioning markers. Treatment with F. indica reduced body weight, resolved ovarian cysts, and showed positive effects on follicular growth. Treatment with plant also increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes. This study validates the potential of Fagonia indica for the amelioration of metabolic, as well as, hormonal disturbances that occurred in PCOS.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex, age-related neurodegenerative disease that causes neuronal loss and dysfunction over time. An imbalance of redox potential of oxidative stress in the cell causes neurodegenerative diseases and dysfunction of neurons. Plants are a rich source of bioactive substances that attenuate oxidative stress in a variety of neurological disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Prunus armeniaca L. methanolic extract (PAME) for anti-Parkinson activity in rats. PD was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, IP). The PAME was administered orally at 100, 300, and 800 mg/kg dose levels for 21 days. Behavioral studies (catalepsy test, hang test, open-field test, narrow beam walk, and hole-board test), oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA) levels, neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline) levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity were quantified in the brain homogenate. Liver function tests (LFTs), renal function tests (RFTs), complete blood count (CBC), and lipid profiles were measured in the blood/serum samples to note the side effects of PAME at the selected doses. Histopathological analysis was performed on the brain (anti-PD study), liver, heart, and kidney (to check the toxicity of PAME on these vital organs). Motor functions were improved in the behavioral studies. Dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline levels were significantly increased ( ), whereas the level of acetylcholinesterase was decreased significantly ( ). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels were decreased in the PAME-treated groups significantly compared with the disease control group, hence reducing oxidative stress. The incidence of toxicity was determined by biochemical analysis of LFT and RFT biomarkers testing. The histopathological analysis indicated that neurofibrillary tangles and plaques decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the PAME-treated groups. Based on the data, it is concluded that PAME possessed good anti-Parkinson activity, rationalizing the plant’s traditional use as a neuroprotective agent.

The aims and objectives of the study were to evaluate the antiParkinson’s (PD) potential of B cernua (BCE). B cernua (Poir.) Müll. Arg. (B cernua) is a member of the Phyllanthaceae family. HPLC revealed the presence of various phytochemicals. Study was conducted for 40 days. After PD induction by paraquat behavioural studies were carried out. Biochemical parameters such as DPPH, NO-scavenging, Ferrous reducing power, MDA, GSH, CAT, SOD, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), neurotransmitter estimation and TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined. DPPH, NO-scavenging and Ferrous reducing power assays showed 78.02%, 48.05% and 71.45% inhibitions, respectively. There was significant improvement in motor functions and coordination in a dose-dependent manner (50 < 250 < 500 mg/kg) in PD rat model. Biochemical markers; SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH showed significant restoration ( P < .001) while MDA showed significant decrease ( P < .05). The AChE level was significantly reduced ( P < .05) at 500 mg/kg while neurotransmitters were significantly improved ( P < .001) in a dose-dependent fashion. The ELISA results showed significant ( P < .001) down-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α level. In conclusion, it is suggested that BCE has the potential to reduce the symptoms of PD.

Bambusa arundinacea (RETZ.) Willd. is distributed in tropical regions of Pakistan, India, and China. It has been used for a long time as a folk remedy for cirrhosis, urinary tract ailments, and various other abdominal cavity disorders. It has antioxidant, free-radical-scavenging, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aims and objectives of this study were to validate the folkloric uses of Bambusa arundinacea and to evaluate its nephroprotective potential on scientific grounds. Gentamycin (G.M, 40 mg/kg) was used to induce nephrotoxicity in the animal model. Two doses of the methanolic extract of Bambusa arundinacea (MEBA; 300 and 500 mg/kg) were utilized in addition to silymarin (200 mg/kg/d). Treatments were administered once daily for 14 days. After 14 days, the blood was collected and the kidneys were removed. The antioxidant potential of the standardized MEBA was evaluated using the total phenolic content, the total flavonoid content, and the DPPH scavenging activity. The plant extract was rich with flavonoid content. The DPPH scavenging activity was 65% as compared to butylated hydroxy toluene (96%), with IC₅₀ values 31.65 and 7.80 μg/mL, respectively. The phytochemical analysis was performed using HPLC, and MEBA was found to contain various phytoconstituents such as quercetin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and cinnamic acid. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase were assayed, and MEBA exhibited significantly improved CAT and SOD levels. The levels of renal function markers such as serum creatinine, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen, serum urea, and serum uric acid levels also evaluated, and a significant retrieval was found in a dose-dependent fashion. Good improvement was also made in various hematological parameters. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance to determine the significance of differences among the data. In conclusion, the standardized methanolic extract of Bambusa arundinacea was able to alleviate gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity by enhancing the antioxidant defensive mechanisms of renal tubular cells.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder which affects women of reproductive age. It is a condition in which ovaries produce an excessive amount of androgen (the male sex hormone). Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd. is a plant of the Fabaceae family. This plant has been traditionally used as a uterine tonic in leucorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to its various pharmacological activities. In this study, the ethanolic extract of S. asoca (EESA) was evaluated for its potential to be used for the management of PCOS. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents: kaempferol, rutin, (-)-epicatechin, salicylic acid, and gallic acid. For PCOS induction, 30 adult female rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (n = 5) and the PCOS group (n = 25). Letrozole (1 mg/kg/day) was administered per orally (p.o.) for a period of 7 weeks for the induction of disease. Weekly body weight measurements and daily vaginal cytology examinations were performed for disease confirmation. After disease induction, the PCOS group was further divided into five groups (n = 5), that is, disease control, metformin, and EESA (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) groups, respectively, and given treatment doses for next 5 weeks. After the treatment period, all animals were weighed and euthanized humanly. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assays, lipid profiles, and liver function tests. For histological assessment of ovarian cysts, ovaries were dissected. Livers were preserved to evaluate EESA's antioxidant properties. Histopathology analysis revealed that EESA reduced body weight and the number of cystic follicles. Furthermore, it also lowered the elevated levels of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, insulin, and malonaldehyde in PCOS rats while increasing the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and other antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and catalase. It can be concluded that EESA exhibited beneficial effects in normalizing the perturbed hormonal profile and improved the ovary status by decreasing the cystic follicle and improving the ovulation status in a dose-dependent manner.