Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin for Treating PCOS

Overview

The primary research hypothesis of this study is that dihydroartemisinin is effective in restoration of regular menstrual cycles of PCOS subjects who meet at least two of three Rotterdam Criteria. Secondary research hypotheses include: dihydroartemisinin is also effective in reducing androgen, total immature follicles, and anti-Mullerian hormone.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine metabolic disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Artemisinin has been widely used as a first-line antimalarial drug in routine clinical practice. In recent years, artemisinin has also been reported to have significant anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immune-modulating effects. Our recent study revealed that artemisinin derivatives protect against PCOS development by inhibiting ovarian androgen production. Consistently in a small pilot study, dihydroartemisinin effectively reduced androgen levels, reduced immature follicles, and improved the estrous cycle in PCOS patients who strictly met all the three Rotterdam Criteria, namely hyperandrogenism, ovulation dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Nevertheless, clinical diagnosis of PCOS can be established as long as a patient fulfill two of the three Rotterdam Criteria. The present study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of dihydroartemisinin in patients with PCOS who met at least two of three (≥2) Rotterdam Criteria.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes