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Volume 45, Issue 03, 2017

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Madeleine Ong et al, Am. J. Chin. Med. 45, 405 (2017).

https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X17500252

Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Optimal Management of

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Madeleine Ong*
Jie Peng*,
Xingliang Jin*
Xianqin Qu*

*School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia

Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Suzhou Wuzhong Peoples Hospital, Jiangsu Province, Peoples Republic of China

Correspondence to: Dr. Xianqin Qu, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, P. O. Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007,
Australia. Tel: (+61) 2-9514-7852, Fax: (+61) 2-9514-8206.

Published: 31 March 2017

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous disorder characterized by androgen excess and ovulatory dysfunction; it is
now known to be closely linked to metabolic syndrome. Recent research suggests that insulin resistance plays an important role in the
pathogenesis of PCOS which may lead to the excessive production of androgens by ovarian theca cells. Currently there is no single drug
that can treat both the reproductive and metabolic complications of the disorder. Existing pharmaceutical agents such as hormonal
therapies have been associated with side effects and are not appropriate for PCOS women with infertility. Additionally, insulin sensitizing
agents useful for treating the metabolic abnormalities in PCOS have limited efficacy for treating reproductive aspects of the disorder.
Chinese herbal medicines have a long history of treating gynaecological problems and infertility and therefore may be a novel approach to

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Chinese Herbal Medicine for the Optimal Management of Polycystic ... http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X17500252

the treatment of PCOS. Current research demonstrates that the compounds isolated from herbs have shown beneficial effects for PCOS
and when combined in an herbal formula can target both reproductive and metabolic defects simultaneously. Therefore, further
investigation into Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of PCOS is warranted.

Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Infertility; Insulin Resistance; Hormone Therapy; Chinese Herbal Medicine; Review

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