Astragalus hamosus Acts as an Insulin Sensitizer in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rat Models by Affecting IRS1 Expression

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality among women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance is known as the hallmark of PCOS that leads to hyperinsulinemia and type 2 diabetes in PCOS patients. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the expression pattern of IRS1 as a candidate gene in insulin resistance development in the PCOS rat models. Methods: In this study, estradiol valerate was used for PCOS induction. Then, all of the rats were divided into five experimental groups and treated with Astragalus hamosus extract. Ethanol was used for extraction by Soxhlet, and extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. Ovarian morphology was analyzed using histological experiments. Finally, the expression of IRS1 and hormonal titration of testosterone and insulin were evaluated using qRT-PCR and ELISA assays, respectively. Results: Induction of PCOS led to an increase in body weight, which decreased after treatment with the extract. Histological assessment declared an increased number of corpora lutea in treated groups and reduced cystic follicles compared to the PCOS group. Astragalus hamosus extract-treated groups exhibited decreased levels of insulin and testosterone compared to the PCOS group. qRT-PCR results showed an increase in the expression levels of IRS1 in the treated groups compared to the PCOS group. Conclusion: This study indicated the impact of Astragalus hamosus extract on PCOS by clarifying the increased levels of IRS1 expression in the treated groups compared to the PCOS group.