Effects of maca root (Lepidium meyenii) on some biochemical and antioxidant parameters in rats with experimental polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

EFFECTS OF MACA ROOT (LEPIDIUM MEYENII) ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PARAMETERS IN RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of maca root on oxidative stress induced by experimental polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. Thirty-five female Sprague Dawley rats, each 2.5 months old, were included in the study. These rats were divided into five separate groups. No treatment or intervention was applied to the first group. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (1%) was applied to the second group. Maca root was applied to the third group at a dose of 2 g/kg/day body weight by gavage for 7 days. Letrozole (PCOS agent) was administered to the fourth group at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day by gavage for 21 days. Letrozole and maca root were administered together to the fifth group. Maca root administration was started on the 15th day of letrozole administration and continued for 7 days in the fifth group. In the study, changes in antioxidant parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in blood, ovary and uterus tissues were evaluated. In addition, changes in serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), testosterone, glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels, which are important laboratory findings in PCOS, were determined by autoanalyzer. At the end of the study, MDA levels were found to be higher in blood (p<0.001), ovary (p≤0.001) and uterus (p<0.001) tissues in PCOS group compared to control group, while GSH levels and CAT, GSH-Px, GST and SOD activities were found to be lower (p<0.05). When PCOS+maca root group was compared with PCOS group, it was found that MDA levels were statistically lower in all tissues, GSH levels and CAT, GSH-Px, GST and SOD activities were higher (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference in all tissues and parameters between the control group, maca root group and CMC group. When compared with the control group, it was observed that all parameters in blood tissue, all parameters except GSH-Px activity in ovarian tissue and all parameters except GST activity in uterine tissue approached the control group means and there was no statistical difference. When compared with the control group, it was determined that serum LH, testosterone, glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels were high and FSH levels were low in the PCOS group (p<0.001). When compared with the control group, it was observed that LH, testosterone, glucose, insulin and cholesterol levels, except serum FSH levels, approached the control group means and there was no statistical difference. It was observed that the increase in FSH levels in the PCOS+maca group was statistically insignificant. While PCOS may contribute to an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the development of oxidative stress associated with PCOS, maca root may help alleviate the serious side effects caused by PCOS. Key words: PCOS, maca root, malondialdehyde, testosterone, LH, antioxidant