Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dietary Supplements, Phytotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine in PCOS

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Infertility in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  • 1327 Accesses

Abstract

Current treatments for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are only moderately effective at controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Although the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used by women with PCOS is not known, a landmark study showed that approximatively one in three Americans used CAM. Recent studies suggest that several CAM treatments could be beneficial as an adjunct to conventional medical management of PCOS. In this chapter, we will briefly introduce the current development, mechanism and limitations of these CAMs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Li R, Zhang Q, Yang D, et al. Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women in China: a large community-based study. Hum Reprod. 2013;28:2562–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hahn S, Haselhorst U, Tan S, Quadbeck B, Schmidt M, Roesler S, Kimmig R, Mann K, Janssen OE. Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations are associated with insulin resistance and obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2006;114:577–83.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Wehr E, Pilz S, Schweighofer N, Giuliani A, Kopera D, Pieber TR, Obermayer-Pietsch B. Association of hypovitaminosis D with metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009;161:575–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kotsa K, Yavropoulou MP, Anastasiou O, Yovos JG. Role of vitamin D treatment in glucose metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2009;92:1053–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Selimoglu H, Duran C, Kiyici S, Ersoy C, Guclu M, Ozkaya G, Tuncel E, Erturk E, Imamoglu S. The effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on insulin resistance and androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Endocrinol Investig. 2010;33:234–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Rashidi B, Haghollahi F, Shariat M, Zayerii F. The effects of calcium-vitamin D and metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2009;48:142–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Foroozanfard F, Jamilian M, Bahmani F, et al. Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation influences biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in overweight and vitamin D-deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Endocrinol. 2015;83:888–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kaya C, Cengiz SD, Satiroglu H. Obesity and insulin resistance associated with lower plasma vitamin B12 in PCOS. Reprod Biomed Online. 2009;19:721–6.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Palomba S, Falbo A, Giallauria F, Russo T, Tolino A, Zullo F, Colao A, Orio F. Effects of metformin with or without supplementation with folate on homocysteine levels and vascular endothelium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:246–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. The role of tea in human health: an update. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21:1–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Chantre P, Lairon D. Recent findings of green tea extract AR25 (Exolise) and its activity for the treatment of obesity. Phytomedicine. 2002;9:3–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, Girardier L, Mensi N, Fathi M, Chantre P, Chantre P. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70:1040–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Figueiroa MS, Cesar Vieira JS, Leite DS, Filho RC, Ferreira F, Gouveia PS, Udrisar DP, Wanderley MI. Green tea polyphenols inhibit testosterone production in rat Leydig cells. Asian J Androl. 2009;11:362–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Kao YH, Hiipakka RA, Liao S. Modulation of endocrine systems and food intake by green tea epigallocatechin gallate. Endocrinology. 2000;141:980–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Sun F, Yu J. The effect of a special herbal tea on obesity and anovulation in androgen-sterilized rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 2000;223:295–301.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Chan CC, Koo MW, Ng EH, Tang OS, Yeung WS, Ho PC. Effects of Chinese green tea on weight, and hormonal and biochemical profiles in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome—a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Soc Gynecol Investig. 2006;13:63–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010;24:186–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Yu Ng EH, Ho PC. Polycystic ovary syndrome in asian women. Semin Reprod Med. 2008;26:14–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Anderson RA, Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM, Schmidt WF, Khan A, Flanagan VP, Schoene NW, Graves DJ. Isolation and characterization of polyphenol type-A polymers from cinnamon with insulin-like biological activity. J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52:65–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Broadhurst CL, Polansky MM, Anderson RA. Insulin-like biological activity of culinary and medicinal plant aqueous extracts in vitro. J Agric Food Chem. 2000;48:849–52.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Jarvill-Taylor KJ, Anderson RA, Graves DJ. A hydroxychalcone derived from cinnamon functions as a mimetic for insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20:327–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Qin B, Nagasaki M, Ren M, Bajotto G, Oshida Y, Sato Y. Cinnamon extract (traditional herb) potentiates in vivo insulin-regulated glucose utilization via enhancing insulin signaling in rats. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2003;62:139–48.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wang JG, Anderson RA, Graham III GM, Chu MC, Sauer MV, Guarnaccia MM, Lobo RA. The effect of cinnamon extract on insulin resistance parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study. Fertil Steril. 2007;88:240–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Cussons AJ, Watts GF, Mori TA, Stuckey BG. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94:3842–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kasim-Karakas SE, Almario RU, Gregory L, Wong R, Todd H, Lasley BL. Metabolic and endocrine effects of a polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich diet in polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:615–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Mehri J, Maryamalsadat R, Zohreh FK, et al. Metabolic response to selenium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Endocrinol. 2015;82:885–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Foroozanfard F, Jamilian M, Jafari Z, et al. Effects of zinc supplementation on markers of insulin resistance and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2015;123:215–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jamilian M, Asemi Z. Chromium Supplementation and the effects on metabolic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;67:42–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Zhang J, Zhou L, Tang L, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;9:1399–400.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Sills ES, Perloe M, Tucker MJ, Kaplan CR, Genton MG, Schattman GL. Diagnostic and treatment characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: descriptive measurements of patient perception and awareness from 657 confidential self-reports. BMC Womens Health. 2001;1:3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  31. Lim CED, Liu J. Traditional chinese medicine for gynaecological diseases. J Aust Tradit Med Soc. 2011;17:17–20.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Zhang Y, Fu Y, Han F, et al. The effect of complementary and alternative medicine on subfertile women with in vitro fertilization. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;68–78.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Raja-Khan N, Stener-Victorin E, Wu X, et al. The physiological basis of complementary and alternative medicines for polycystic ovary syndrome. Ajp Endocrinol Metabol. 2011;301:E1–E10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Lim DC, Xue CC, Wong FW, et al. Acupuncture for polycystic ovarian syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;668:CD007689.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Bian ZX, Moher D, Dagenais S, Li YP, TX W, Liu L, Miao JX, Song L, Zhang HM. Improving the quality of randomized controlled trials in Chinese herbal medicine, part IV: applying a revised CONSORT checklist to measure reporting quality. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2006;4:233–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Liu JP, Zhang M, Wang WY, Grimsgaard S. Chinese herbal medicines for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;3:CD003642.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Ni HY, Gong J. Research progress on Chinese herbal medicine in treating PCOS. Liaoning J Trad Chinese Med. 2007;34:123–4.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Wang BQ, Ling M. Research development of Chinese herbal medicine for PCOS. Shandong J Trad Chinese Med. 2008;27:138–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Lau CH, Chan CM, Chan YW, Lau KM, Lau TW, Lam FC, Che CT, Leung PC, Fung KP, Ho YY, Lau CB. vitro antidiabetic activities of five medicinal herbs used in Chinese medicinal formulae. Phytother Res. 2008;22:1384–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Yang XB, Huang ZM, Cao WB, Chen HY, Wang JH, Xu L. Therapeutic and protective effects of water-ethanolic extract from Rhizoma alismatis on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Xhongguo Shi Yian Fang Ji Xue Za Zhi. 2002;18:336–50.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Chen ZH, Li J, Liu J, Zhao Y, Zhang P, Zhang MX, Zhang L. Saponins isolated from the root of Panax notoginseng showed significant anti-diabetic effects in KK-Ay mice. Am J Chin Med. 2008;36:939–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Zhao L, Li W, Han F, Hou L, Baillargeon JP, Kuang H, Wang Y, Wu X. Berberine reduces insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone in theca cells in vitro. Fertil Steril. 2011;95:461–3.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Dvorak Z, Vrzal R. Berberine reduces insulin resistance: the roles for glucocorticoid receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Fertil Steril 95: e7.; author reply e8–e9, 2011.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Lee MJ, Lee HS, Park SD, Moon HI, Park WH. Protective effects of luteolin-7-O-beta-d-glucuronide methyl ester from the ethyl acetate fraction of Lycopi Herba against pro-oxidant reactive species and low-density lipoprotein peroxidation. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2010;25:702–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Xia W, Sun C, Zhao Y, Wu L. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Sanchi (Radix Notoginseng) in rats fed with a high fat diet. Phytomedicine. 2010;18:516–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Ning MH, Liu YJ, Ning XG. Clinical observation on yishenxiaozheng decoction for the treatment of 85 cases of polycystic ovarian disease. Hunan Guiding J TCM. 2004;10:27–8.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Yang ZW, You ZL, Zhang XH, Wang Y, Zeng M. Research on influence of Bushen Huoxue Method on menstrual cyclicity and reproductive hormone in PCOS. Chin J Tradit Med Sci Technol. 2006;13:5–6.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Zhang QP. Bushen Huoxue Method in treating PCOS. Chin J Inform TCM. 2004;11:1014–5.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Xia Y. Cangfu Daotan Soup in treating 30 obese cases with PCOS. Tianjin J Tradit Chin Med. 2004;21(2):169.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Cui FY, Liu XM. Gaoshao soup in treating 60 cases of PCOS. J Pract Tradit Chin Med. 2004;20:686–7.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Wang ZH, Yang YS, Zhang YL. Clinical study of Ganshao Capsule in treating clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med. 2005;25:704–6.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Cong LX. Observation of Tiaojin Zhuyun Pellet combined with clomiphene in treating infertility caused by PCOS. J Pract Tradit Chin Med. 2006;22:290–1.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Liu Y, Lu XY. Traditional Chinese medicine in treating 12 PCOS. New J Tradit Chin Med. 2005;37:74–5.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Xue XW, Wang N. Effective observation on TCM combined with ultrasound in treating 56 PCOS. Chin Gen Pract. 2004;7:828.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Yuan XF. TCM periodical treatment on 38 PCOS. Fujian J Tradit Chin Med. 2003;34:22.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Lin Y. Combinative treatment of Chinese traditional and western medicine in 48 patients with sterility due to polycystic ovarian syndrome. Matern Child Health Care Chin. 2005;20:1642–3.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Ye LQ. TCM periodical therapy combined with metformin in treating 62 PCOS. Jiangxi J Tradit Chin Med. 2004;35:22–3.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Li CP. Effective observation on Bushen Tiaozhou Method in treating 30 infertility patients with PCOS. New J Tradit Chin Med. 2006;38:50–1.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Li XB, Li LY. Daotan Zhongzi Fang combined with clomiphene in treating PCOS. J Pract Med. 2000;16:330–1.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Li XB, Li LY, Huang JL, Liang XF. Effect of operation under celioscopy combined with kidney tonifying and phlegm removing herbal medicine for polycystic ovarian disease syndrome. Tradit Chin Drug Res Clin Pharmacol. 2002;13:75–6,131.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Liang RN, Liu J, Lu J, Zhang HF. Treatment of refractory polycystic ovary syndrome by Bushen Huoxue method combined with ultrasound guided follicle aspiration. Chin J Integr Tradit West Med. 2008;28:314–7.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Han J-Y, Fan J-Y, Horie Y, et al. Ameliorating effects of compounds derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza root extract on microcirculatory disturbance and target organ injury by ischemia and reperfusion. Pharmacol Ther. 2008;117:280–95.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Kang BY, Chung SW, Kim SH, et al. Inhibition of interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma production in immune cells by tanshinones from Salvia miltiorrhiza. Immunopharmacology. 2008;49:355–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Zhang Y, Jiang P, Ye M, et al. Tanshinones: sources, pharmacokinetics and anti-cancer activities. Int J Mol Sci. 2012;13:13621–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  65. Yang X, Zhang Y, Wu X, et al. Cryptotanshinone reverses reproductive and metabolic disturbances in prenatally androgenized rats via regulation of ovarian signaling mechanisms and androgen synthesis. Am J Phys Regul Integr Comp Phys. 2011;300:R869–75.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Altschuler J, Casella S, MacKenzie T, Curtis K. The effect of cinnamon on A1C among adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:813–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Khan A, Khattak KN, Safdar M, Anderson RA, Ali Khan MM. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003;26:3215–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Kort DH, Lobo RA. Preliminary evidence that cinnamon improves menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;211:487.e1–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Birdsall TC, Kelly GS. Berberine: therapeutic potential of an alkaloid found in several medicinal plants. Altern Med Rev. 1997;2:94–103.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Zhang Y, Li X, Zou D, Liu W, Yang J, Zhu N, Huo L, Wang M, Hong J, Wu P, Ren G, Ning G. Treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia with the natural plant alkaloid berberine. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93:2559–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Lee YS, Kim WS, Kim KH, Yoon MJ, Cho HJ, Shen Y, Ye JM, Lee CH, Oh WK, Kim CT, Hohnen-Behrens C, Gosby A, Kraegen EW, James DE, Kim JB. Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic and insulin-resistant states. Diabetes. 2006;55:2256–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Xu MG, Wang JM, Chen L, Wang Y, Yang Z, Tao J. Berberine-induced upregulation of circulating endothelial progenitor cells is related to nitric oxide production in healthy subjects. Cardiology. 2009;112:279–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Affuso F, Mercurio V, Ruvolo A, Pirozzi C, Micillo F, Carlomagno G, Grieco F, Fazio S. A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome. World J Cardiol. 2012;4:77–83.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  74. Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism. 2008;5:712–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Grant SJ, Bensoussan A, Chang D, Kiat H, Klupp NL, Liu JP, Li X. Chinese herbal medicines for people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting blood glucose. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;4:CD006690.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Lampert N, Xu Y. Chinese herbal nephropathy. Lancet. 2002;359:796–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Lord GM, Cook T, Arlt VM, Schmeiser HH, Williams G, Pusey CD. Urothelial malignant disease and Chinese herbal nephropathy. Lancet. 2001;358:1515–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Nortier JL, Martinez MC, Schmeiser HH, Arlt VM, Bieler CA, Petein M, et al. Urothelial carcinoma associated with the use of a Chinese herb (Aristolochia fangchi). N Engl J Med. 2000;342:1686–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Lin SH, Chau T. A puzzling cause of hypokalaemia. Lancet. 2002;360:224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Dasgupta A, Davis B, Wells A. Effect of plantain on therapeutic drug monitoring of digoxin and thirteen other common drugs. Ann Clin Biochem. 2006;43:223–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China

    Xiao-Ke Wu & Ernest HY Ng

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Xiao-Ke Wu & Ernest HY Ng

Authors
  1. Xiao-Ke Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ernest HY Ng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiao-Ke Wu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, ASMN-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Stefano Palomba

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Wu, XK., Ng, E.H. (2018). Dietary Supplements, Phytotherapy and Chinese Herbal Medicine in PCOS. In: Palomba, S. (eds) Infertility in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45534-1_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45534-1_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-45533-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-45534-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation