PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects women of childbearing age and is associated with infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy complications. The condition is characterized by elevated levels of androgens (hyperandrogenism) and is associated with a wide range of health impacts, including metabolic dysfunction, impaired ovulation, and often infertility. Its long-term health consequences are multiple and include hypertension, increased risk of cancer as well as metabolic and psychological disorders.
Among the first clinical signs that prompt women to consult are: menstrual cycle irregularities, acne and excessive hair growthhowever many women are hesitant to seek medical attention and diagnosis and treatment of PCOS are often delayed.
Despite a high prevalence of the syndrome, the underlying mechanisms of PCOS are poorly understood and drug treatments often focus only on specific symptoms with limited effectiveness. As hyperandrogenism is the main feature and cause of most symptoms and comorbidities associated with PCOS, treatments aimed at suppressing androgen production could be beneficial.
Artemisininswhich are the subject of this research, exert this effect precisely by suppressing the production of ovarian androgens.
The study provides the first evidence of this effect in several rodent models as well as in a small cohort of human patients. The team here evaluates the effect of artemisinin and its derivatives on the development of PCOS in mouse models and discovers that:
- artemether (ATM), an artemisinin derivative isolated from Artemisia plants, reduces ovarian androgen synthesis by targeting a crucial enzyme in androgen production, CYP11A1;
- ATM induces the degradation of CYP11A1 by enhancing its interaction with another target protein, LONP1;
- indeed, it is the overexpression of LONP1 that suppresses ovarian androgen production.
First proof of concept in humans: a small pilot clinical study carried out on 19 women suffering from PCOS, indeed confirms the therapeutic potential of artemisinin:
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taking dihydroartemisinin – a drug used to treat malaria – for 12 weeks significantly reduces PCOS biomarkers;
- to find more regular menstrual cycles without side effects.
While additional research will be needed to fully understand the long-term effects of antimalarials and refine dosages and optimize therapeutic outcomes, The discovery of artemisinins as effective remedies for PCOS represents a promising new approach for patients suffering from this syndrome.
