Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that afflicts 10 percent of infertile women is the most important reason for the cessation of ovulation. So the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. on the treatment of PCOS in rat.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on Wistar rats (n=35, weight: 180±20 g) with 2-3 consecutive estrous cycle. Then rats were divided to 5 groups: Control group; PCOS group (Stradiolvalerate 4 mg/kg/im); Experimental 1, 2 and 3 groups (Stradiolvalerate 4 mg/kg/im+Aloe vera L. extract 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/ip, respectively). After 21 days blood samples were taken to measure the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Findings were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan statistical tests at the significant level of P<0.05.
Results: The results showed a significant increment in PCOS group and decrement in the Experimental 2 and 3 groups in estrogen concentration compared to the Control group, respectively (P<0.05). The concentration of progesterone hormone in PCOS group and the Experimental groups were significantly decreased compared to the Control group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Aloe vera L. decreased and increased the concentration of estrogen and progesterone hormone in rat, respectively. So it appears that the use of Aloe vera L. would be effective in the treatment of infertility disorders and PCOS.