Roles and Biological Effects of Polysaccharides in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents a prevalent and clinically significant reproductive-endocrine disorder among women of childbearing age. While dietary interventions, regular physical activity, and targeted lifestyle modifications have been validated to confer therapeutic benefits for PCOS management, polysaccharides key bioactive components of higher plants with extensive distribution throughout the plant and animal kingdoms exhibit distinct pleiotropic bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, and anti-obesogenic properties. In the context of PCOS treatment, these natural macromolecules hold considerable promise for alleviating clinical manifestations, ameliorating insulin resistance and obesity, attenuating inflammatory responses, and restoring sex hormone homeostasis. Cumulative evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has demonstrated that polysaccharides can improve menstrual irregularities, reduce body weight, lower blood glucose and serum testosterone levels, and suppress aberrant inflammation. The present review systematically summarizes the multifaceted effects of diverse polysaccharide compounds on PCOS, aiming to provide insights into their potential as complementary therapeutic agents for this complex disorder.