Protective effect of Yunkang oral liquid via regulating androgen receptor in polycystic ovary syndrome rats.

This study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of Yunkang oral liquid (YK) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS model rats were prepared by injecting exogenous androgen dehydroepiandrosterone, and YK was administered simultaneously for 28 days during modeling. The morphology of ovaries and uterus was observed using H&E staining, and serum levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Additionally, serum lipids (TG, HDL-c), blood glucose (GLU), and aminotransferase (AST, ALT) levels were detected. The expression of androgen receptor (AR) protein was determined by Western blotting. YK treatment resulted in reduced serum levels of T, LH and FSH, ameliorated ovarian polycystic-like pathological changes and uterine morphology in PCOS rats, and decreased serum TG, GLU, AST and ALT levels, elevated serum HDL-c levels, and improved abnormalities of glycolipid metabolism accompanying PCOS. Moreover, YK decreased the expression of ovarian AR in PCOS rats. This study indicates that YK may protect the ovaries by inhibiting the expression of AR, which could be a potential treatment for PCOS.