Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine in treating polycystic ovary syndrome by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控NLRP3炎性小体治疗多囊卵巢综合征的研究进展
- Author:
Yaru LI
1
;
Hong QU
1
;
Caifeng XU
1
;
Lei WANG
1
Author Information
1. Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology，Gansu Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Lanzhou 730050，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Polycystic ovary syndrome;
traditional Chinese medicine;
NLRP3 inflammasome;
Inflammatory response;
endocrine disorder;
Insulin resistance;
ovarian dysfunction
- From:
China Pharmacy
2026;37(16):2208-2212
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is a common reproductive-endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age， and chronic low-grade inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. Studies have confirmed that the abnormal activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome， a key complex of the innate immune system， not only mediates the formation of local ovarian inflammatory microenvironment， but also deeply participates in the processes of hyperandrogenemia， follicular developmental arrest and systemic insulin resistance in PCOS patients. A variety of single-herb medicines and their active ingredients （such as ginsenosides， evening primrose oil， safflower yellow， etc.）， as well as compound prescriptions including Jianpi yishen huazhuo formula， Bushen huatan formula and Bushen huoluo decoction， can effectively alleviate chronic low-grade inflammation related to PCOS， ameliorate insulin resistance， hyperandrogenemia and abnormal ovarian microenvironment by inhibiting the abnormal activation of NLRP3 inflammasome， and ultimately promote follicular development and the recovery of ovulatory function. Nevertheless， the methodological quality of existing studies is generally low， and clinical translation is still restricted by the heterogeneity of experimental models， unclear pharmacodynamic material basis and lack of high-quality evidence-based data. Multi-omics technologies should be adopted in future research to further analyze the compatibility rules of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions， and stratified studies should be carried out according to different phenotypes of PCOS.
