Quercetin and Flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Inhibit Tripterygium Glycoside‑Induced Premature Ovarian Failure Progression via PI3K‑AKT Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT

Objective: In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of quercetin and flavonoids extracted from Cuscuta chinensis Lam. on tripterygium glycoside (TG)‑induced premature ovarian failure (POF). Materials and Methods: Rats in the POF model were administered with 17β‑estradiol (E2), quercetin, or flavonoids that were extracted from C. chinensis. Serum levels of anti‑Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH), and E2 were determined via enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA and protein expressions of PI3K‑AKT signaling pathway‑ and apoptosis‑related genes in the ovarian tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Results: After the administration of E2, quercetin, and flavonoids, there was a decrease in the estrus cycle, which was accompanied by an increase in weight and ovarian indices. TG reduced the thickness of the layer of granulosa cells in the antral follicles, the ratio of primitive follicles, secondary follicles, and sinusoidal follicles, and the number of cells in the corpus luteum and increased the ratio of atresia follicles; however, E2, quercetin, and flavonoids reversed these effects. In the POF group, serum levels of E2 and AMH were decreased, whereas FSH and FSH/LH levels were increased. TG downregulated the expression of PI3K, p‑AKT, Atg5, and cyclin D2 and upregulated the expression of caspase-3. However, the changes in the levels of hormones and proteins were reversed after the administration of E2, quercetin, and flavonoids. Conclusion: Quercetin and flavonoids extracted from C. chinensis Lam. inhibited TG‑induced POF by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

KEYWORDS

• Cuscuta chinensis Lam
• flavonoids
• premature ovarian failure
• quercetin

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

Cite this article

• DOI10.4103/pm.pm_25_20Copy

RELATED ARTICLES

Matched on section and article type within this issue of Pharmacogn. Mag..

• Article · VOLUME 17, ISSUE 75Scientometric Analysis of Pharmacognosy Magazine: A Decade of Quality PublishingM. Chaman Sab, Mallikarjun Kappi, KK Mueen Ahmed · pp. 399–405Original ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 17, ISSUE 75In vitro Genotoxicity and in vivo Single‑Dose Oral Toxicity of Polysaccharide Fraction from the Leaves of Diospyros kaki Thunb.Chang-Won Cho, Young-Ran Song, Youn-Hwan Hwang, Young Kyoung Rhee, Won-Chul Lim, Jae Woong Choi, Kyung-Tae Lee, Hee-Do Hong · pp. 406–412Original ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 17, ISSUE 75Onjisaponin B Attenuates Glutamate Release via Inhibition of Calmodulin‑Dependent Protein Kinase II and Connexin 43 Pathways in Rat Astrocytes Subjected to Oxygen and Glucose DeprivationYingqi Mao, Yuyang Chen, Xiaoyun Pan, Lingfeng Gao, Lidan Wang, Da Li, Tao Qiu · pp. 413–418Original ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 17, ISSUE 75Zerumbone Ameliorates the Induced Atherosclerosis‑Initiated Inflammatory Conditions through Suppression ofProinflammatory Mediators, Inflammatory Cytokines Hemn Hassan Othman, Heshu Sulaiman Rahman, Sherwan Hamasalih Omer, Syam Mohan, Mohammed Abdulabbas Hasan, Kawa Amin, Nagi A. AL.Haj, Hareth Yahya Ahmed, Noordin Mohamed Mustapha · pp. 419–427Original ArticleSame type: Article