Therapeutic efficacy of Rosa damascena Mill. on oxidative stress parameters and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in Wistar rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Oxidative stress (OS) has been documented to be one of the factors involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. This research work was designed to assess the impact of Rosa damascena (RD) extract on protective components of OS and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2) as OS contributors in a rat model of estradiol valerate (EV)-induced PCOS. Adult female Wistar rats (n = 48) were divided into a control group (n = 12) and a PCOS group (n = 36), with PCOS induced by EV (4 mg/kg/day). To confirm PCOS induction, 6 rats from each group underwent estrous cycle evaluation and ovarian histology. The remaining rats-6 from the control group and 30 from the PCOS group-were assigned to five subgroups: a PCOS model group, a metformin-treated group (200 mg/kg/day), and three groups receiving RD extract at doses of 400, 800, or 1200 mg/kg/day for 28 days. OS parameters and Cox2 gene expression were assessed. OS parameters and the expression of the Cox2 gene were assessed. There were significant increases in OS parameters and decreases in ROS levels in the group with higher doses of RD extract (800 and 1200 mg/kg/day) and metformin compared to the PCOS group. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in Cox2 gene expression levels (P < 0.001). The RD extract showed potential therapeutic effects in alleviating PCOS complications, which seems partly due to improving the dysregulation of OS parameters.