In-silico Studies on the Phytochemicals Contained in Mentha spicata for the Management of PCOS

Abstract

Aims: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that primarily affects women of reproductive age, associated with hormonal imbalances and metabolic irregularities, often leading to various health complications. PCOS is associated with elevated levels of androgens, which are male hormones that women also produce, and this hormonal imbalance can result in various symptoms such as irregular menstruation, excessive hair growth, acne, and even infertility. Some herbal plants have shown promise in managing PCOS symptoms due to their anti-androgenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) has long been recognized for its potential therapeutic properties in managing PCOS. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the phytochemicals in Mentha spicata that specifically targets specific key protein molecules associated with PCOS using Molecular docking analysis. Methodology: The target proteins used in this study were: androgen receptor, FSH receptor, LHCG receptor, Insulin receptor and Anti-mullerian hormone Results: The results revealed potential binding affinities and interaction patterns, highlighting spearmint's role in the management of PCOS. The analysis identified oleanolic acid as the phytochemical with the best binding affinity across all five proteins used in the study amongst others. This suggests that oleanolic acid may be a good candidate of spearmint in targeting the key proteins associated with PCOS, potentially helping to reduce the effects of the condition. These findings are consistent with previous research showing that spearmint may have anti-androgenic effects. Conclusion: While the results of this molecular docking analysis seem promising, it is important to note that these findings are computational. Further in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to validate these computational findings.