Effect of berberine on serum hormonal levels and endometrial gene and protein signaling in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose: To study the effect of berberine on serum hormonal levels, endometrial gene, and protein signaling in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: Eighty-seven healthy female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to control group, PCOS model group, and berberine group, each with 29 rats. The rats were assigned to three groups: control, model, and berberine groups, each with 29 rats. A rat model of PCOS was established via the administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) to rats in the model group continuously for 21 days through gavage. Rats in berberine group were also given letrozole at the same dose for the same duration through gavage, while rats in control group received physiological saline in place of berberine. Estrus cycle, serum hormonal levels, ovarian tissue morphology, estrogen receptor α (ERα) levels, and mRNA expression levels of protein kinase B subtype 3 (Akt-3β) were evaluated. RAS-C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1), human chromosome 10 deleted phosphatase (PTEN) and mouse sarcoma-like virus oncogene (KRAS) were also determined using appropriate procedures.Results: Berberine treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the mean body weight of PCOS rats, relative to model rats (p < 0.05). Estrus interval in model rats was significantly prolonged. Levels of testosterone and estradiol, and mRNA expression levels of ERα, Akt3, Racl, PTEN, and KRAS were significantly increased, while progesterone level was significantly decreased, relative to control (p < 0.05). Estrus interval in the berberine group was shortened and estrus cycle gradually returned to normal, while the levels of testosterone and estradiol, and mRNA levels of ERα were gradually restored, relative to untreated PCOS rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, mRNA levels of Akt3, RAC1, PTEN, and KRAS were significantly decreased, while progesterone level was significantly increased (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Berberine appreciably restores heat cycle and ovary morphology in PCOS rats, and regulates serum hormonal levels, and endometrium-related gene and protein signaling.