The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management

Abstract Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) is characterized by a reduction in the number of available follicles in the ovaries, leading to hormonal imbalances, decreased ovarian reserve, and reduced fertility. Clinically, it presents with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, decreased...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyu Zhang, Na Zhang, Zhibin Dong, Hao Sun, Zhihao Diao, Yujie Li, Dongqing Du, Yuxia Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Ovarian Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01669-4
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author Xiaoyu Zhang
Na Zhang
Zhibin Dong
Hao Sun
Zhihao Diao
Yujie Li
Dongqing Du
Yuxia Ma
author_facet Xiaoyu Zhang
Na Zhang
Zhibin Dong
Hao Sun
Zhihao Diao
Yujie Li
Dongqing Du
Yuxia Ma
author_sort Xiaoyu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) is characterized by a reduction in the number of available follicles in the ovaries, leading to hormonal imbalances, decreased ovarian reserve, and reduced fertility. Clinically, it presents with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and a lower antral follicle count (AFC). In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gained recognition for its multi-target, holistic regulation in treating DOR, offering broad therapeutic effects with minimal side effects. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms and clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formulas and active compounds in the treatment of DOR, providing theoretical support for their clinical application and future research. A systematic literature search was conducted from June 2019 to June 2024, and 12 clinical studies along with 38 basic research papers were selected. The findings suggest that CHM formulas primarily act by counteracting oxidative stress, regulating immune defense, modulating sex hormone secretion via the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and inhibiting excessive apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of TCM for improving ovarian function, regulating endocrine balance, and alleviating DOR symptoms, offering valuable insights for clinical practice and research.
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spelling doaj-art-15820de569e64f4c8fd569b67572bfc42025-08-20T01:47:32ZengBMCJournal of Ovarian Research1757-22152025-04-0118111810.1186/s13048-025-01669-4The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve managementXiaoyu Zhang0Na Zhang1Zhibin Dong2Hao Sun3Zhihao Diao4Yujie Li5Dongqing Du6Yuxia Ma7Department of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineDepartment of Acupuncture and Massage College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) is characterized by a reduction in the number of available follicles in the ovaries, leading to hormonal imbalances, decreased ovarian reserve, and reduced fertility. Clinically, it presents with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, decreased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and a lower antral follicle count (AFC). In recent years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has gained recognition for its multi-target, holistic regulation in treating DOR, offering broad therapeutic effects with minimal side effects. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms and clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) formulas and active compounds in the treatment of DOR, providing theoretical support for their clinical application and future research. A systematic literature search was conducted from June 2019 to June 2024, and 12 clinical studies along with 38 basic research papers were selected. The findings suggest that CHM formulas primarily act by counteracting oxidative stress, regulating immune defense, modulating sex hormone secretion via the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and inhibiting excessive apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of TCM for improving ovarian function, regulating endocrine balance, and alleviating DOR symptoms, offering valuable insights for clinical practice and research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01669-4Diminished ovarian reserveChinese herbal medicine formulasActive compounds of Chinese herbal medicineMechanismClinical efficacy
spellingShingle Xiaoyu Zhang
Na Zhang
Zhibin Dong
Hao Sun
Zhihao Diao
Yujie Li
Dongqing Du
Yuxia Ma
The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
Journal of Ovarian Research
Diminished ovarian reserve
Chinese herbal medicine formulas
Active compounds of Chinese herbal medicine
Mechanism
Clinical efficacy
title The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
title_full The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
title_fullStr The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
title_full_unstemmed The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
title_short The role of Chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
title_sort role of chinese herbal medicine in diminished ovarian reserve management
topic Diminished ovarian reserve
Chinese herbal medicine formulas
Active compounds of Chinese herbal medicine
Mechanism
Clinical efficacy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-025-01669-4
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