The aim of the present study was to investigate the treatment effects and associated mechanism of
Bak Foong pills (BFPs) combined with
metformin in the treatment of
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). BFPs and/or
metformin were administrated to treat the PCOS rats, and the weights and morphologies of the ovary, uterus and adrenal gland were measured. The levels of fasting
blood glucose (FBG), serum
testosterone (T),
luteinizing hormone, fasting
insulin (FIN) and
insulin-like growth factor-1 were also measured, and the homeostasis model assessment of
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The expression level of
androgen receptor (AR) in the ovarian tissue, and the
cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc)
mRNA levels in the ovary and adrenal tissues were detected. The levels of T, FIN, FBG and HOMA-IR in the combination group were significantly reduced; the wet weights of the ovary and the adrenal gland were decreased significantly, while that of the uterus was increased, and the histological morphology benignly recovered. The rats of each treatment group all experienced restored ovulation. The AR expression level in the treatment group was reduced, and the P450scc
mRNA levels in the ovary and the adrenal gland of the combined treatment group were decreased. BFPs combined with
metformin significantly affected PCOS, and the possible mechanism involved in the treatment may have been through the reduction of P450scc generation. BFPs may reduce the
androgen levels, thus allowing the ovary to restore ovulation.