Effects of Adlay Hull Extracts on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common symptoms in gynecological diseases, and its high prevalence is related to disruption in quality of female’s life. However, the pathogenesis of PCOS is unclear. One is about that over secretion of androgen (Androstenedione) in ovary theca cells. Androstenedione (AD) is mainly synthesized in adrenal glands and ovaries, which is precursors of testosterone and estrogen in women, while imbalance secretion of AD leads to dysfunction of endocrine system. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly occurs in childbearing women, and the diagnostic criteria include at least 2 subjects with following 3 events: (1) oligo-ovulation or anovulation; (2) hyperandrogenism clinically or in biomarkers; and (3) polycystic ovaries. Preceding high expression of androgens increase the risks of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes. The female reproductive diseases such as PCOS cause a severe impact on the society, economy, labor power, and family of Taiwan. Adlay, the plant of the grass crop, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and also used as a nourishing food. Adlay have a lot of physiological functions like anti-oxidation and anti-cancer effects. Adlay hull extract was reported to suppress estradiol release from female rats and decrease level of testosterone in male rats. However, the relationship between PCOS and adlay remains veiled. In our preliminary experimental results, we had demonstrated that adlay hull extract can inhibit androstenedione secretion in rat theca cell. In this study, three aims are designed in this grant to evaluate the adlay biological effects to female reproductive diseases. The aim 1 is to clarify the in vivo inhibitory effects of adlay on the DHEA-induced rats (PCOS animal model). The aim 2 is to test the anti-steroidogenesis effects of adlay hull extract in ovary theca cell and indentify the pure compounds that have anti-steroidogenesis effects in adlay hull extract. The aim 3 is find out the anti-steroidogenesis mechanism. We believe that the results of the present study are quite valuable and will provide the potential application of Adlay on the treatment of PCOS.