A review on herbal interventions and nanotechnological advancements for managing polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by hormonal imbalance that can't be fully cured, but some symptoms can get better with changes in lifestyle, medications, and fertility treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicine on ovarian mass, weight, sex hormone disorders, and insulin resistance to treat PCOS. This disorder is mainly characterized by increased levels of androgens, acne, and hirsutism, and can lead to long-term insulin resistance, miscarriage, or even infertility in women. The present study reviews previous studies on the treatment of PCOS using natural drugs and nanotechnology used to treat PCOS.

A literature search was conducted in the scientific database using the keywords "polycystic ovary syndrome, phytoconstituents, and herbals". This review includes a collection of reports from Science Direct, Scholar Google, and PubMed were searched up to 2024. The results were assessed, gathered, and reported in this paper. A total of 162 papers were included, with an exponential growth in the number of articles published from 1980 to 2024.

We discuss the significance of herbal remedies in treating PCOS, and the chemical composition, mechanism of action, and therapeutic application of selected herbal drugs against PCOS. These plant compounds can help PCOS patients by improving how their bodies process sugar and making them more sensitive to insulin.

The review suggested that future research should focus on integrating lifestyle modifications and natural therapies to enhance the quality of life for individuals at risk or suffering from PCOS.