title: Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Optimal Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous disorder characterized by androgen excess and ovulatory dysfunction; it is now known to be closely linked to metabolic syndrome. Recent research suggests that insulin resistance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS which may lead to the excessive production of androgens by ovarian theca cells. Currently there is no single drug that can treat both the reproductive and metabolic complications of the disorder. Existing pharmaceutical agents such as hormonal therapies have been associated with side effects and are not appropriate for PCOS women with infertility. Additionally, insulin sensitizing agents useful for treating the metabolic abnormalities in PCOS have limited efficacy for treating reproductive aspects of the disorder. Chinese herbal medicines have a long history of treating gynaecological problems and infertility and therefore may be a novel approach to the treatment of PCOS. Current research demonstrates that the compounds isolated from herbs have shown beneficial effects for PCOS and when combined in an herbal formula can target both reproductive and metabolic defects simultaneously. Therefore, further investigation into Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of PCOS is warranted.
authors.affiliation: * School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.affiliation: * School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.|† Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Suzhou Wuzhong People's Hospital, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: * School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Xingliang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: * School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Xianqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001599:Berberine / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D005960:Glucosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006027:Glycosides
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D001599:Berberine; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D036145:Ginsenosides; D005960:Glucosides; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010616:Phenanthrenes; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes; C015423:peoniflorin; D006027:Glycosides; C037886:cryptotanshinone
keywords: Chinese Herbal Medicine; Hormone Therapy; Infertility; Insulin Resistance; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Review