Rubia cordifolia Linn.: Isolation, Molecular Docking and BRAC1/PKD1 Gene Targeting for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of endocrine system characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, high androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries. The aim of this study is to evaluate pharmacological activity of Rubia cordifolia (RC) in treating letrozole-induced PCOS in rats that exhibit metabolic and endocrinal criteria of PCOS patients. The plant RC was collected, characterized and prepared an extract, to obtained the phenolic and flavonoid content, which was confirmed by GC-MS. Obtained and confirmed content are proceeded for molecular docking and in-vivo study. The results of molecular docking found the favourable receptorligand interactions. and exhibited strong binding affinities (below -5 kcal/mol), The top-priority target genes were found to BRAC1, and PKD1. Further, in-vivo study was performed in female Wistar rats and PCOS was induced by oral administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg, per orally, p.o., 21-days). Due to PCOS significantly increases body-weight, ovarian weight/size, and cysts, while reduction in FSH level and fluctuation in glucose and LH levels. Then, rats were treated with different dose of RC extract (100/200/400 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and metformin take as standard (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Resulted in a significantly decrease body-weight, ovarian weight/size, maintain glucose and hormones level. Additionally, histological analysis of rat ovaries revealed a fewer cyst in treated group compared to the untreated group. All of these effects were significantly reduced by RC administration. Our results proved that RC ameliorates letrozole-induced PCOS.