comparison of the effects of ginger extract with clomiphene citrate on sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos) is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance. objective: in this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as luteinizing hormone (lh), follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh), estrogen and progesterone in order to treat pcos effectively with fewer side effects. materials and methods: in this experimental study, 63 adult female rats (170-200 gr) were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control (not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days), sham (were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days), and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate (pcos inducing agent, intramuscular) alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) orally daily for 60 and 89 days. sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups. results: our results showed that in the pcos-induced group, lh and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and fsh concentration decreased remarkably (p<0.05) as compared to control group. furthermore, in groups receiving clomiphene and ginger extract, we demonstrated significant (p<0.05) improvement in hormonal secretion as compared to the pcos-induced group. clomiphene, compared with the lower dose of ginger extract, had a better improving effect on balancing sexual hormones in pcos. moreover, ginger extract at higher doses has better effects in improving pcos. conclusion: as the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving pcos.