A review on phytomedicine and their mechanism of action on PCOS

Abstract

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by gynaecological endocrine and metabolic abnormality of women at reproductive ages. It is established that hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, menstrual abnormalities, and chronic absence of ovulation of polycystic ovary are commonly associated with symptoms. It might indicate the multidisciplinary approach for the therapeutic management of PCOS. Conventional medical management concentrated single symptom, is often associated with the side effect, maybe contraindicated and ineffective in some conditions. So far women with PCOS have ex-pressed a desire for alternative medicine. Ayurvedic medicine has been emerging as one of the commonly practised medicines for different health problems, including PCOS. Objective: In this review, an attempt has been made to study the use and mode of action of potential Ayurvedic drugs for the treatment of PCOS. Method: This review is mainly based on the scientific literature search. The first search on plant possesses multiple effects against PCOS reproductive and metabolic complications. Selected plants from the first search were used as a keyword for the second search. Result: They include Cinnamomum zeylanium, Gymnema sylvestre, Mentha spicata, Pergularia daemia, Saraka indica, Saw palmetto, Tribulus terrestis, and Withania somnifera. The second search sought the reproductive endocrinal and metabolic dem-onstrated mechanism of the selected plants. Conclusion: This review supports the alternative Ayurvedic medication as a standard effective and safe drug in the management of PCOS.