Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights

Yonghui Liu,1 Mingchan Wei,2 Yasheng Deng,1 Yanping Fan,1 Yiqing Zheng,1 Zhaobing Ni,1 Jiang Lin1 1College of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangxi International Zhuang Medicine Hospital, Nanning, Nanning, 530200, People’s Repub...

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Main Authors: Liu Y, Wei M, Deng Y, Fan Y, Zheng Y, Ni Z, Lin J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-07-01
Series:Drug Design, Development and Therapy
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/advances-in-traditional-chinese-medicine-for-managing-diminished-ovari-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDT
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author Liu Y
Wei M
Deng Y
Fan Y
Zheng Y
Ni Z
Lin J
author_facet Liu Y
Wei M
Deng Y
Fan Y
Zheng Y
Ni Z
Lin J
author_sort Liu Y
collection DOAJ
description Yonghui Liu,1 Mingchan Wei,2 Yasheng Deng,1 Yanping Fan,1 Yiqing Zheng,1 Zhaobing Ni,1 Jiang Lin1 1College of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangxi International Zhuang Medicine Hospital, Nanning, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiang Lin, Email 1713552545@qq.comAbstract: Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) is characterised by a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes, accompanied by biological markers such as a decrease in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a decrease in the sinus follicle count (AFC), and an increase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In response to the limitations of modern medical treatments, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated unique advantages in the treatment of DOR. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the literature in the past decade to analyse the scientific content of TCM intervention in DOR from the dimensions of molecular mechanism and clinical application. It was found that single components (paeoniflorin, Epimedium glycosides, etc.), TCM pairs (Cuscuta chinensis–Sambucus nigra and Semencuspidatae–Epimedium), TCM combinations (Liuweidihuangwan, Haifuyuyuyuitang, Angelica sinensis–Paeonia lactiflora, etc.), and a variety of acupuncture therapies can improve the ovarian function through a multi-targeted modulation mechanism: ① regulating the signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, to promote the development of the follicle; ②regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis balance hormone levels; ③enhance anti-oxidative stress through Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 signalling; ④inhibit the expression of granulosa cell apoptosis-related factors (Bax/Caspase-3). Clinical data showed that TCM interventions significantly increased AMH levels, increased AFC and decreased FSH levels in patients. The study confirms that TCM exerts therapeutic advantages through multi-component synergistic effects, from improving the ovarian microenvironment, regulating reproductive endocrinology, delaying follicular atresia, etc. which provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the integrated treatment of DOR. It is suggested that standardised clinical studies should be carried out to establish an evaluation system for the efficacy of TCM and to promote the development of precise treatment options.Keywords: diminished ovarian reserve, traditional Chinese medicine, molecular mechanisms, ovarian function
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spelling doaj-art-8b634d93e954485c822c6588079e18fc2025-08-20T03:28:25ZengDove Medical PressDrug Design, Development and Therapy1177-88812025-07-01Volume 19Issue 155975614104380Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical InsightsLiu Y0Wei M1Deng YFan YZheng YNi Z2Lin J3College of Basic MedicineCollege of Basic MedicineCollege of Basic MedicineCollege of Basic MedicineYonghui Liu,1 Mingchan Wei,2 Yasheng Deng,1 Yanping Fan,1 Yiqing Zheng,1 Zhaobing Ni,1 Jiang Lin1 1College of Basic Medicine, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangxi International Zhuang Medicine Hospital, Nanning, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiang Lin, Email 1713552545@qq.comAbstract: Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) is characterised by a decrease in the number and quality of oocytes, accompanied by biological markers such as a decrease in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a decrease in the sinus follicle count (AFC), and an increase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In response to the limitations of modern medical treatments, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated unique advantages in the treatment of DOR. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the literature in the past decade to analyse the scientific content of TCM intervention in DOR from the dimensions of molecular mechanism and clinical application. It was found that single components (paeoniflorin, Epimedium glycosides, etc.), TCM pairs (Cuscuta chinensis–Sambucus nigra and Semencuspidatae–Epimedium), TCM combinations (Liuweidihuangwan, Haifuyuyuyuitang, Angelica sinensis–Paeonia lactiflora, etc.), and a variety of acupuncture therapies can improve the ovarian function through a multi-targeted modulation mechanism: ① regulating the signalling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT, to promote the development of the follicle; ②regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis balance hormone levels; ③enhance anti-oxidative stress through Nrf2/HO-1/NLRP3 signalling; ④inhibit the expression of granulosa cell apoptosis-related factors (Bax/Caspase-3). Clinical data showed that TCM interventions significantly increased AMH levels, increased AFC and decreased FSH levels in patients. The study confirms that TCM exerts therapeutic advantages through multi-component synergistic effects, from improving the ovarian microenvironment, regulating reproductive endocrinology, delaying follicular atresia, etc. which provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the integrated treatment of DOR. It is suggested that standardised clinical studies should be carried out to establish an evaluation system for the efficacy of TCM and to promote the development of precise treatment options.Keywords: diminished ovarian reserve, traditional Chinese medicine, molecular mechanisms, ovarian functionhttps://www.dovepress.com/advances-in-traditional-chinese-medicine-for-managing-diminished-ovari-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDTDiminished Ovarian ReserveTraditional Chinese MedicineMolecular MechanismsOvarian Function
spellingShingle Liu Y
Wei M
Deng Y
Fan Y
Zheng Y
Ni Z
Lin J
Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
Drug Design, Development and Therapy
Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Molecular Mechanisms
Ovarian Function
title Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
title_full Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
title_fullStr Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
title_short Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Mechanisms and Clinical Insights
title_sort advances in traditional chinese medicine for managing diminished ovarian reserve mechanisms and clinical insights
topic Diminished Ovarian Reserve
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Molecular Mechanisms
Ovarian Function
url https://www.dovepress.com/advances-in-traditional-chinese-medicine-for-managing-diminished-ovari-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-DDDT
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