Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility. It affects an estimated eight to 13 per cent of reproductive-aged women and up to 70 per cent of them remain undiagnosed globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In a breakthrough study, scientists have found an antimalarial drug used in ancient Chinese medicine could effectively treat women with PCOS.
The team of Chinese researchers conducted a small trial successfully and published their findings in the Science journal. The study reportedly has the potential to lead to an entirely new approach to treating the condition. Women who took the herbal extract artemisinin for 12 weeks experienced more regular periods, suggesting that the herbal extract may be able to block the ovaries from creating too much testosterone or androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts.
Let’s take a closer look. Using anti-malaria drug to treat PCOS The medication lowered testosterone and increased fertility, according to a series of extensive tests conducted in rats and mice with a disorder resembling PCOS. Following that, the researchers ran a 12-week pilot study in which they administered artemisinin to 19 women with PCOS.
Hormone levels were significantly lowered, follicular activity was reduced in an ultrasound scan, and 63 per cent of the women, could resume regular periods without any side effects. According to the study, artemisinin inhibits CYP11A1, an enzyme.