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Volume 24, Issue 1 (January 2026)
IJRM 2026, 24(1): 1-12 |
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Ethics code: IR.SSU.SH.REC.1397.152
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Hooshmandi H, Ghadiri-Anari A, Fallahzadeh H, Ranjbar A M, Hosseinzadeh M, Nadjarzadeh A. Efficacy of licorice extract in combination with a low-calorie diet on sex hormones, sleep quality, depression, and appetite in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT. IJRM 2026; 24 (1) :1-12
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3474-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3474-en.html
Hadis Hooshmandi1 
, Akram Ghadiri-Anari2 , Hossein Fallahzadeh3 , Ali Mohammad Ranjbar4 , Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh1 , Azadeh Nadjarzadeh *5
, Akram Ghadiri-Anari2 , Hossein Fallahzadeh3 , Ali Mohammad Ranjbar4 , Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh1 , Azadeh Nadjarzadeh *5
1- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. & Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
2- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. & Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
3- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
4- Traditional Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
5- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. & Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. ,Azadehnajarzadeh@gmail.com; azadnajarzadeh@ssu.ac.ir
2- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. & Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
3- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
4- Traditional Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
5- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. & Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. ,
Abstract: (37 Views)
Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to suffer from anovulatory infertility. Studies showed the effectiveness of licorice on the regulation of sex hormones and quality of life, with inconsistent findings.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of licorice extract on sex hormones, sleep quality, depression, and appetite in women with PCOS.
Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind controlled trial included 66 overweight or obese women with PCOS. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: one receiving 1.5 gr/day of licorice extract alongside a low-calorie diet (n = 33) and the other receiving a placebo plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) for 8 wk. Anthropometric measurements and general participant data were collected following standard protocols. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin, and total testosterone were analyzed using enzymatic kits. The LH/FSH ratio was also calculated as a marker for PCOS diagnosis.
Results: Mean age and body mass index of participants were 40.76 yr and 32.26 kg/m2, respectively. When baseline values were accounted for, the licorice extract plus low-calorie diet group showed significantly greater improvements in terms of FSH (p < 0.001), LH/FSH ratio (p < 0.001), total testosterone (p = 0.03), depression score (p < 0.001), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and appetite (p < 0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The findings showed that licorice extract supplementation led to improvements in sex hormones, sleep quality, depression, and appetite. Further studies are needed to confirm these results, considering the possible limitations of the current research.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of licorice extract on sex hormones, sleep quality, depression, and appetite in women with PCOS.
Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind controlled trial included 66 overweight or obese women with PCOS. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: one receiving 1.5 gr/day of licorice extract alongside a low-calorie diet (n = 33) and the other receiving a placebo plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) for 8 wk. Anthropometric measurements and general participant data were collected following standard protocols. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin, and total testosterone were analyzed using enzymatic kits. The LH/FSH ratio was also calculated as a marker for PCOS diagnosis.
Results: Mean age and body mass index of participants were 40.76 yr and 32.26 kg/m2, respectively. When baseline values were accounted for, the licorice extract plus low-calorie diet group showed significantly greater improvements in terms of FSH (p < 0.001), LH/FSH ratio (p < 0.001), total testosterone (p = 0.03), depression score (p < 0.001), sleep quality (p < 0.001), and appetite (p < 0.001) compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The findings showed that licorice extract supplementation led to improvements in sex hormones, sleep quality, depression, and appetite. Further studies are needed to confirm these results, considering the possible limitations of the current research.
Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Glycyrrhiza, Gonadal steroid hormones, Sleep quality, Depression, Appetite.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Fertility & Infertility
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