White kidney bean extract improves letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats by regulating the Wnt signaling pathway

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder characterized by ovarian dysfunction, with limited effective treatments. This study investigates the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of white kidney bean extract (WKBE) in a PCOS rat model. A PCOS model was established using letrozole, followed by intervention with varying doses of WKBE. Serum sex hormone levels, insulin resistance, and metabolic markers were measured. Ovarian histopathology, fibrosis, and apoptosis were assessed. Transcriptomic sequencing was performed on ovarian tissues from control, PCOS, and high-dose WKBE groups. High-dose WKBE significantly ameliorated endocrine-metabolic disturbances in PCOS rats, including reduced testosterone, LH/FSH ratio, insulin resistance, and lipid abnormalities, outperforming low/medium doses. It decreased body weight, ovarian index, and organ fat deposition, repaired ovarian histopathological damage, and reduced fibrosis and apoptosis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that high-dose WKBE altered the expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related genes, suggesting its therapeutic role may involve modulation of this pathway. High-dose WKBE alleviates endocrine-metabolic dysregulation and ovarian dysfunction in PCOS rats by regulating the Wnt signaling pathway, offering a potential novel therapeutic strategy.