Relevant Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20251242
- VernacularTitle:中医药治疗多囊卵巢综合征高雄激素血症相关机制的研究进展
- Author:
Wenchen FAN
1
;
Hui MA
1
;
Yongfen DING
1
;
Haotian MA
2
;
Fei GAO
1
;
Qiuyu LIU
1
Author Information
1. Wangjing Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100102， China
2. Guang'anmen Hospital， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100053， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
polycystic ovary syndrome;
hyperandrogenism;
traditional Chinese medicine;
action mechanism;
research progress
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(8):306-317
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenism （HA）， one of its core pathological features， is closely associated with the clinical manifestations and metabolic complications of the disease. Current western medical treatments for PCOS-HA mainly include anti-androgen therapy and ovulation induction， such as short-acting oral contraceptives like Diane-35 and Yasmin. However， long-term use of these medications may result in adverse reactions like increasing the risk of liver dysfunction and exacerbating lipid metabolism disorders， with unsatisfactory long-term efficacy when used alone. Traditional Chinese medicine offers unique advantages in the treatment of PCOS-HA due to its holistic approach and multi-target regulatory mechanisms. In the view of traditional Chinese medicine， PCOS-HA is classified under the categories such as "delayed menstruation"， "amenorrhea"， and "infertility"， with kidney deficiency as the root， as well as liver stagnation and spleen deficiency as the manifestations. Phlegm and blood stasis are considered to be intertwined throughout the disease course. Modern studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine is significantly effective in improving the androgen levels， restoring ovulation， and improving insulin resistance in PCOS-HA patients. Representative prescriptions， such as Erxian Tang， Jiawei Xiaoyaosan， Guizhi Fulingwan， and Cangfu Daotantang， exert therapeutic effects through various mechanisms including regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis， reduction of ovarian androgen synthase activity， improvement of insulin signaling pathways， and inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress， which demonstrates the characteristics of comprehensive treatment with traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the perspectives of etiology and pathogenesis of traditional Chinese medicine， modern medical cognition， typical prescriptions， and action mechanisms， this paper reviewed the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of PCOS-HA， aiming to provide a reference for in-depth research and clinical applications in this field.
