P-184: Effects of Licorice Hydroalcoholic Root Extract on Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Mouse

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is multifaceted and includes reproductive, metabolic, and general health disorders, so employing different animal models is needed to study the syndrome. Use of an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, on adult female rats produces a phenotype remarkably similar to that of PCOS. Licorice has been used in treating women infertility for thousands of years. Licorice is able to affect androgen metabolism. Various studies have demonstrated that licorice blocks the activity of 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase,17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and17-20 lyase and stimulates the activity of aromatase. All these enzymes are involved in the synthesis and/or metabolism of androgens and estrogens. It also affects the in vitro conversion of androstenedione to testosterone and stimulates aromatase activity, promoting the production of estrone and estradiol. Materials and Methods: Eighty four mice were divided into six groups to study different fertility parameters like ovary and uterus histological morphology, hormonal level, serum antioxidant capacity and in vitro fertilization. Letrozole dose was 2 mg/kg which sonicate and gavaged daily for twenty four consecutive days. Licorice hydroalcoholic root extract doses were 150,300 and 450 mg/ kg which were also administrated orally two hours after the letrozole gavage. The latest dose was used alone as control-sham group. Results: Putting together all the results, we obtained that 300mg/ kg dose had better improvement in this PCOS model. Although administrating hydroalcoholic root extract alone, it had no significant effect in fertility parameters. Conclusion: Licorice and it's derivitives, with suitable dose, can be beneficial for PCOS studies to make a herbal based drug.