The Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University discussed the Ph.D. dissertation of the student Sabrin Saad Salman entitled: “Effect of the crude extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Mentha piperita in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.” Study Aim:
The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and peppermint (Mentha piperita) as adjunct treatments in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through the assessment of the following parameters: Clinical indicators: Body mass index (BMI) and hirsutism score using the Ferriman-Gallwey scale. Radiological follow-up: Ovarian ultrasound examination. Hormonal analysis: LH, FSH, SHBG, testosterone, AMH. Insulin resistance markers: Fasting glucose, insulin levels, HbA1c. Lipid profile: Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers: TNF-α, IL-1β, and total antioxidant capacity.
The study sought to explore the efficacy and safety of these herbs as complementary therapies for women who experience difficulty tolerating conventional treatments. Findings:
The study revealed significant differences in clinical, hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory markers between women with PCOS and healthy controls. Patients with PCOS showed elevated BMI, hyperandrogenism, hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis dysregulation, insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The combination of Diane-35 with licorice improved hormonal balance, as evidenced by reductions in testosterone, LH, and AMH levels, alongside increased SHBG levels and reduced hirsutism. In contrast, the combination of Diane-35 with peppermint showed greater improvement in BMI, in addition to marked improvement in hyperandrogenism and hormonal regulation. Overall, the combined therapies demonstrated better therapeutic outcomes compared to Diane-35 alone, with a notable effect of the Diane + peppermint group in improving androgen levels, lipid disorders, and inflammatory markers. Examination Committee: Prof. Emeritus Dr. Abdul Kareem Hameed Abdul – Chair Prof. Dr. Raed Jasim Mohammed – Member Prof. Dr. Enas Jawad Kazem – Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Fouad Kazem Kata – Member Asst. Prof. Dr. Enas Thamer Mousa – Member Prof. Dr. Ahmed Rahma Abu Ragheef – Member & Supervisor Prof. Dr. Hala Abdul Qader Abdul Latif – Member & Supervisor
The dissertation was accepted with distinction.
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