Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. This study investigated the effects of carvacrol and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on antioxidant and apoptotic markers, including MDA, SOD, catalase, and Caspase-3, in a mouse model of PCOS.
Methods: PCOS was induced in mice by estradiol valerate injection. Treatments included a single tail-vein injection of bone marrow-derived EPCs, daily oral gavage of carvacrol for one month, or their combination. One month after the interventions, serum antioxidant markers (MDA, SOD, and catalase) and ovarian Caspase-3 expression were assessed by ELISA and Western blotting, respectively.
Results: ELISA results showed that catalase and SOD levels were significantly reduced in the PCOS group compared with controls (p < 0.001), whereas they increased after treatment with carvacrol and EPCs (p < 0.05). In contrast, MDA levels were elevated in the PCOS group relative to controls (p < 0.01) and were significantly reduced following intervention (p < 0.001). Western blot analysis also showed that Caspase-3 expression was increased in the PCOS group compared with controls (p < 0.01) and decreased after carvacrol and EPC treatment (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: EPCs and carvacrol reduced apoptotic markers and improved antioxidant status in the PCOS mouse model. These findings suggest that, following further preclinical validation, this approach may have potential for inclusion in therapeutic protocols for PCOS
Shakery,F Z , Bakhshi,O L and BishehKolaei,R . (2026). Synergistic Effects of Carvacrol and EPCs on Antioxidant and Apoptotic Indices in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animal Model. (e11760). Nova Biologica Reperta, (), e11760 doi: 10.22034/nbr.2026.132122.0
MLA
Shakery,F Z , , Bakhshi,O L , and BishehKolaei,R . "Synergistic Effects of Carvacrol and EPCs on Antioxidant and Apoptotic Indices in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animal Model" .e11760 , Nova Biologica Reperta, , , 2026, e11760. doi: 10.22034/nbr.2026.132122.0
HARVARD
Shakery F Z, Bakhshi O L, BishehKolaei R. (2026). 'Synergistic Effects of Carvacrol and EPCs on Antioxidant and Apoptotic Indices in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animal Model', Nova Biologica Reperta, (), e11760. doi: 10.22034/nbr.2026.132122.0
CHICAGO
F Z Shakery, O L Bakhshi and R BishehKolaei, "Synergistic Effects of Carvacrol and EPCs on Antioxidant and Apoptotic Indices in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animal Model," Nova Biologica Reperta, (2026): e11760, doi: 10.22034/nbr.2026.132122.0
VANCOUVER
Shakery F Z, Bakhshi O L, BishehKolaei R. Synergistic Effects of Carvacrol and EPCs on Antioxidant and Apoptotic Indices in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Animal Model. Nova Biologica Reperta. 2026;():e11760 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/nbr.2026.132122.0
