Effects of Compound Honey Syrup (Ma-ol-asal) on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Induced by Estradiol Valerate in Female Rats

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age and is characterized by irregular menstruation, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian cysts. Iranian traditional medicine products can be effective in treatment of this syndrome. This study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of compound honey syrup on the polycystic ovary syndrome induced by estradiol valerate in female rats. Methods: In this experimental study conducted by traditional medicine and matria medica research center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in animal laboratory of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences on female rats in 2017, the compound honey syrup (Ma-ol-asal) (containing honey, cinnamon, ginger, saffron, cardamom, galangal, nutmeg, mace and mastic) was used. Thirty female rats were classified into five groups of cases: negative control, positive control, and three treatment groups (receiving two doses of compound honey syrup (1ml/kg and 2ml/kg) and metformin). Polycystic ovary syndrome was induced by injection of Estradiol valerate. At the end of intervention, the rats were euthanized, hormones were measured, and the ovarian histology was examined. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24) and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn-Bonferroni tests. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: At the end of the study, weights of ovaries in the metformin and Ma-ol-asal 2 groups were higher than the untreated group. There was no change in body weight or abdominal fat. There was a significant increase in levels of progesterone in three treatment groups (P=0.002) and significant reduction of estrogen in the metformin group compared to the untreated group (P=0.021). There was significant reduction of number of ovary cysts in Ma-ol-asal 1 group (P=0.001), and significant increase in the number of Corpus luteum, and antral follicles in Ma-ol-asal 1 and 2 groups compared to the untreated group (P=0.010). The number of graph follicles did not differ significantly in the groups (P=0.083). Conclusion: Compound honey syrup was effective in improving hormonal and histological status in polycystic ovary syndrome as much as metformin and was more effective in some cases.