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NCT Number: NCT07376824

Clinical and Metabolomics Studies on the Improvement of Ovarian Reserve by Acupoint Photodynamic Therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) refers to a reduction in the number of recruitable follicles in the ovaries and/or a decline in oocyte quality. Current research on its etiology and treatment remains unsatisfactory. This study will be conducted as a single-center, prospective, parallel, randomized, controlled clinical trial in DOR patients. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to three groups: LLLT (acupoint photodynamic therapy) + placebo (Dingkun Dan Simulant), LLLT (acupoint photodynamic therapy) + Chinese medicine (Dingkun Dan), and Chinese medicine (Dingkun Dan) alone. Clinical data and serum metabolomics will be assessed at baseline and after the 3-month treatment.

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Key information

Age range

25 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Primary location

Peking union medical college hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100730, China

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Aijun Sun, Professor

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Yingying Guo, Doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

86+010-69158331

About this study

Ovarian reserve can reflect a woman's fertility and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology. If not treated promptly, it may progress to Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) within 1 to 6 years, severely affecting a woman's physical and mental health. Studies have found that the incidence of DOR in the female population is approximately 10%, while the prevalence of DOR among infertile women is about 24%, showing an increasing trend year by year and affecting younger age groups. Extensive studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine, as well as integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatments, have certain therapeutic effects on DOR in clinical practice. Early intervention for DOR can improve ovarian reserve function and increase the pregnancy rate. This study will be conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to three groups: Combination Therapy Group, Photodynamic Therapy Group, Chinese Medicine Group. After three months of treatment, the study will conduct clinical and metabolomics-based research on DOR patients to: (1) Clarify the role and efficacy of acupoint photodynamic therapy, both alone and in combination with Chinese medicine, in improving or enhancing the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on ovarian reserve function. (2) Explore new metabolic biomarkers for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of ovarian reserve function. (3) Identify the distinct metabolic pathways through which acupoint photodynamic therapy and Chinese medicine improve ovarian reserve function. (4) Establish an integrated biomarker index system for the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of DOR using acupoint photodynamic therapy and traditional Chinese medicine, and elucidate the mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamic material basis for improving ovarian reserve function.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female patients aged 25 to 40 years
  • Meet the diagnostic criteria for diminished ovarian reserve (requiring at least two of the following: Basal FSH 10-25 IU/L; AMH < 1.1 ng/mL; AFC < 7) ③ Meet the diagnostic criteria for kidney deficiency syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine ④ Voluntarily participate in this study and provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Organic lesions such as ovarian tumors, pituitary adenomas, endometrial tuberculosis, intrauterine adhesions or endometrial damage after abortion, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, and thyroid dysfunction
  • Female infertility patients who have been treated with sex hormones in the past 3 months ③ Serious or unstable physical diseases, including liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, immune or hematological, neurological and psychiatric systems,
  • History of substance (alcohol or drug) abuse or dependence within the past 3 months; heavy smokers (defined as those who smoke 20 or more cigarettes per day)
  • Previous allergy to the investigational drug or photosensitivity, or individuals with contraindications to Dingkun Dan ⑥ Have participated in another clinical trial of a investigational drug within the month prior to inclusion in this study (first interview) ⑦ Other conditions that, in the judgment of the investigator, may reduce the likelihood of enrollment or complicate the enrollment process, such as frequent job changes or other circumstances prone to loss to follow-up.

Treatment and study plan

traditional Chinese medicine

Drug

Dingkun Dan 7g, twice daily (bid) for 21 days per month, administered orally for 3 treatment cycles.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Device

LLLT: The acupoint phototherapy device, with a peak wavelength of 630nm ± 20nm and an output optical power of 1-2.5mW, was used. Treatment commenced after the end of the menstrual period, once daily for 20 minutes per session, for 5 days (constituting one treatment cycle). After a 2-day interval, the next treatment cycle began, continuing until the onset of the next menstruation.

Placebo

Drug

Placebo: Simulated Dingkun Dan preparation, 7g, twice daily (bid) for 21 days per month, administered orally for 3 treatment cycles.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, measured as the difference from baseline.

  2. Change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration, measured as the difference from baseline.

  3. Change in antral follicle count (AFC)

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in antral follicle count (AFC), measured as the difference from baseline.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in serum concentrations of biochemical markers

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Changes in serum concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), β-endorphin, and oxytocin (OT), measured as the change from baseline.

  2. Change in menstrual blood loss assessed by the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC)

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in menstrual blood loss assessed using the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC), a validated semi-quantitative scale ranging from 0 to >500, with higher scores indicating greater menstrual blood loss, measured as the change from baseline.

  3. Change in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score for menstrual disorders

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score for menstrual disorders assessed using a quantitative TCM syndrome differentiation scale for menstrual disorders, consisting of major and minor symptom items. The total score ranges from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity, measured as the change from baseline.

  4. Change in health-related quality of life

    Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.

    Change in health-related quality of life assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a validated questionnaire with domain scores ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life, measured as the change from baseline.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Yingying Guo, Doctor

CONTACT

[email protected]

86+010-69158331

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 29, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 29, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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