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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanisms and Inducing Models of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: July 5, 2024
Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial
Beata Banaszewska1, Joanna Wrotyńska-Barczyńska1, Robert Z Spaczynski1
1Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology (B.B., J.W.-B., R.Z.S., L.P.), Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznan, Poland; and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Reproductive Medicine (A.J.D.), University of California-San Diego, LA Jolla, California, 92093-0633.
Context:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenism is the central feature of PCOS. Studies on isolated ovarian theca-interstitial cells suggest that resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, reduces androgen production.
Objective:
This study was designed to evaluate endocrine and metabolic effects of resveratrol on PCOS.
Design And Setting:
This was a randomized (1:1) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that evaluated the effects of resveratrol over a period of 3 months in an academic hospital.
Patients And Other Participants:
Subjects with PCOS were identified according to the Rotterdam criteria. Thirty-four subjects were enrolled and 30 subjects completed the trial. Evaluations were performed at baseline and repeated after 3 months of treatment.
Intervention:
Resveratrol (1,500 mg p.o.) or placebo were administered daily.
Main Outcome Measure:
Primary outcome was the change in the serum total T.
Results:
Resveratrol treatment led to a significant decrease of total T by 23.1% (P = .01). In parallel, resveratrol induced a 22.2% decrease of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = .01), a decrease of fasting insulin level by 31.8% (P = .007) and an increase of the Insulin Sensitivity Index (Matsuda and DeFronzo) by 66.3% (P = .04). Levels of gonadotropins, the lipid profile as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function were not significantly altered.
Conclusions:
Resveratrol significantly reduced ovarian and adrenal androgens. This effect may be, at least in part, related to an improvement of insulin sensitivity and a decline of insulin level.
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