Efficacy of Dihydroartemisinin for Treating PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine metabolic disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Artemisinin has been widely used as a first-line antimalarial drug in routine clinical practice. In recent years, artemisinin has also been reported to have significant anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immune-modulating effects. Our recent study revealed that artemisinin derivatives protect against PCOS development by inhibiting ovarian androgen production. Consistently in a small pilot study, dihydroartemisinin effectively reduced androgen levels, reduced immature follicles, and improved the estrous cycle in PCOS patients who strictly met all the three Rotterdam Criteria, namely hyperandrogenism, ovulation dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Nevertheless, clinical diagnosis of PCOS can be established as long as a patient fulfill two of the three Rotterdam Criteria. The present study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of dihydroartemisinin in patients with PCOS who met at least two of three (≥2) Rotterdam Criteria.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI 18.5-28kg/M2
• No plan for pregnancy in the coming 6 months
• Patients should meet two of the three following criteria:

• Irregular cycles and ovulatory dysfunction: < 21 or > 35 days or < 8 cycles per year; > 90 days for any one cycle
• Polycystic ovaries: ≥12 follicles in at least one of two ovaries (diameter<10mm), confirmed by ultrasound.
• Elevated androgen levels: total testosterone>1.67 nmol/L.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy.
• Patients with other endocrine diseases that can cause secondary PCOS, including but not limited to: 21 hydroxylase deficiency, prolactinoma, hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, etc.
• Patients with other serious diseases affecting heart, liver, kidney, or other major organs.
• Patients with any type of cancer.