Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility associated with metabolic complications. Several classes of pharmacological agents have been used to manage PCOS. These drugs have shown adverse effects. Various studies showed the bee pollen (BP) as a substance rich in phytoestrogens. This study aimed to investigate the effects of BP and metformin alone and in combination with proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells in the rat model of PCOS. In this experimental study, 54 Wistar rats (180–210 g), was injected 2 mg of estradiol valerate intramuscularly and six rats were considered as control. After 60 days, the rats were divided into control, sham, and experimental groups. The rats were treated with bee pollen (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and metformin (300 mg/kg), either individually or in combination. Ovarian histology assessment was examined by H&E staining. The serum levels of NO and TNF-α were evaluated. The expressions of P53 and Ki67 were measured by IHC. In the BP and metformin-treated PCOS group, the preantral and antral follicles increased, and cystic follicles significantly decreased (p < .01). The levels of TNF-α, NO, as well as the expressions of Ki67 were decreased in the treated groups compared to the PCOS group (p < .01). On the contrary, apoptosis increased in the groups treated with BP compared to the untreated group (p < .01). BP individually or synergistically with metformin improved the symptoms of PCOS.

中文翻译：

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蜂花粉和二甲双胍对颗粒细胞增殖和凋亡的协同作用：多囊卵巢综合征大鼠模型

多囊卵巢综合征 (PCOS) 是与代谢并发症相关的不孕症的最常见原因。几类药物已被用于管理 PCOS。这些药物已显示出不良反应。各种研究表明，蜂花粉 (BP) 是一种富含植物雌激素的物质。本研究旨在探讨 BP 和二甲双胍单独和联合使用对 PCOS 大鼠模型中颗粒细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。在这项实验研究中，54 只 Wistar 大鼠（180-210 克）肌肉内注射 2 毫克戊酸雌二醇，其中 6 只大鼠被视为对照。60天后，将大鼠分为对照组、假手术组和实验组。用蜂花粉（50、100 和 200 mg/kg）和二甲双胍（300 mg/kg）单独或联合治疗大鼠。通过 H&E 染色检查卵巢组织学评估。评估血清 NO 和 TNF-α 水平。通过 IHC 测量 P53 和 Ki67 的表达。在 BP 和二甲双胍治疗的 PCOS 组中，窦前卵泡和胃窦卵泡增多，囊性卵泡明显减少。p  < .01)。与 PCOS 组相比，治疗组 TNF-α、NO 和 Ki67 的表达降低（p  < .01）。相反，与未处理组相比，BP 处理组的细胞凋亡增加（p  < .01）。BP 单独或与二甲双胍协同改善 PCOS 的症状。