Effects of Chamomile Extract on Biochemical and Clinical Parametersin a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is a complex endocrine andmetabolic disorder associated with ovulatory dysfunction. presently, little is knownabout the primary factors that initiate pcos. chamomile flowers are used in alternative medicine for its anti-spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory effects.antispasmodic properties of chamomile ease menstrual cramps and lessen the possibility of premature labor. this medicinal herb also stimulates menstruation. in this study, we evaluated the effects of chamomile alcoholic-extract on thebiochemical and clinical parameters in a rat model of pcos.materials and methods: estrous cyclicity of 30 virgin adult cycling rats was monitored by vaginal smears obtained between 0800 and 1200 hours. after about 4days, each rat received an i.m. injection of estradiol valerate (aburaihan co., iran), 2mg in 0.2 ml of corn oil, to induce pco. corn oil was injected to the rats in thecontrol group. all the rats in the experimental group were evaluated for follicularcysts 60 days after the injection. rats with pcos were treated by multiple doses (25,50, 75 mg/kg) of intraperitoneal injections of chamomile alcoholic-extract for tendays. the data were statistically analyzed at a significance level of p < 0.05 byanova, followed by the student newman-keuls post hoc test.results: the histological and hormonal results showed that chamomile can decreasethe signs of pcos in the ovarian tissue and help lh secretion in rats (p < 0.05).conclusion: the alcoholic-extract of dried matricaria chamomilla l. flowers can not only induce recovery from a pco induced state in rats, but also increase dominantfollicles. additionally better endometrial tissue arrangements can be regarded as another therapeutic effect of chamomile.