Lycopersicon esculentum Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Hormonal Dysregulation in Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Rat Model

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the primary culprit behind anovulatory infertility and is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders affecting women of childbearing age. The aim of the study was to explore the impact of Lycopersicon esculentum isolate on PCOS induced by letrozole in female Wistar rats. Twenty female Wistar rats weighing 120-150 g were divided into four groups; Group A (normal saline), Group B (5 mg of lycopene), Group C (1 mg of letrozole and 5 mg of lycopene) and Group D (1 mg of letrozole). Ovaries were processed for histological, immuno-histochemical and biochemical assays. The results revealed a significant increase in the final body and ovarian weight in the PCOS (LETZ) rats. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining showed attenuation of ovarian morphological disruption while periodic acidic Schiff staining revealed degeneration of the zona pellucida in the ovaries. However, Masson Trichrome staining revealed increased ovarian collagen fibers in Lycopene-treated PCOS rats compared with other groups. These significant increases in body and ovarian weight, malondialdehyde concentration, testosterone, luteinizing hormones, insulin and fasting gluocose level in PCOS treated rats was later decrease in PCOS (LETZ) rats treated with lycopene. The present results demonstrate that Lycopersicon esculentum may have antioxidant properties to attenuate metabolic and endocrine disorders underlying polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Key Words: endocrine, polycystic ovarian syndrome, lycopene, letrozole, antioxidant, oxidative stress