The Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Infertility

Shi, Yu-Qian; Wang, Yi; Zhu, Xi-Ting; Yin, Rui-Yang; Ma, Yi-Fu; Han, Han; Han, Yan-Hua; Zhang, Yue-Hui

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5076306

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Reproductive Endocrine Diseases 2021

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Review Article | Open Access

Volume 2022 | Article ID 5076306 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5076306

The Application of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Infertility

Yu-Qian Shi,¹Yi Wang,¹Xi-Ting Zhu,¹Rui-Yang Yin,¹Yi-Fu Ma,¹Han Han,²Yan-Hua Han,³and Yue-Hui Zhang³

Academic Editor: Vijaya Anand

Received20 Apr 2022

Revised07 Jul 2022

Accepted12 Sept 2022

Published07 Oct 2022

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a lifelong reproductive endocrine disease, which is the most common cause of anovular infertility. Modern medicine mainly treats infertile patients with PCOS by improving living habits, ovulation induction therapy, and assisted reproductive technology (ART), but the effect is not satisfied. Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) has conspicuous advantages in the treatment of PCOS infertility due to its good clinical efficacy, wide mechanism of action, and no obvious adverse reactions, but its safety and effectiveness in the treatment of PCOS infertility have not been proved. Based on the existing clinical and experimental studies, this paper looks for the therapeutic effect and the mechanism behind it, and explores the safety and effectiveness of its treatment in PCOS infertility, in order to provide reference for future clinical treatment and experimental research.

1. Introduction

PCOS is a life-long reproductive endocrine disease characterized by anovulatory, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovary. It is one of the most common causes of infertility in women of childbearing age. It is usually associated with reproductive complications (irregular menstruation, ovulation dysfunction, and pregnancy complications), metabolic disorders (type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and even psychological risk factors [1–4]. Depending on the population investigated and the diagnostic criteria used, the prevalence of PCOS ranges from 6% to 15% and approximately 75% of women with PCOS suffer from infertility due to ovulation disorders, which makes infertility an urgent problem for PCOS patients [5–7]. Overexpression of proinflammatory factors and intense oxidative stress (OS) in PCOS patients inhibits follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor expression, leading to oocyte dysplasia and eventually infertility [8, 9]. For infertile patients with PCOS who have fertility needs, first-line and second-line treatment such as lifestyle adjustment and ovulation induction therapy are usually preferred. For patients with ineffective treatment, they will eventually choose clinical third-line treatment to assist reproductive technology in order to achieve pregnancy. Due to hormone and metabolic problems in PCOS patients receiving ovulation induction, ART process is not good and accompanied by serious adverse reactions, it is necessary to find an alternative therapy to supplement or replace conventional western medicine treatment, in order to solve the poor efficacy of conventional western medicine treatment, adverse reactions, and other drawbacks. CAM refers to a group of medical systems used in combination with or in place of traditional medicine. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, CAM models are divided into three categories: natural products, mind-body practices, and other complementary health approaches, and the specific classification varies from socio-culturalbackground [10, 11]. According to international studies, 29–91% of infertile women are using CAM techniques [12–15]. Studies have shown that the use of CAM methods can significantly improve sex hormone levels, relieve IR, reduce weight, regulate mood, and improve ovulation in infertile patients with PCOS [16]. CAM is usually safe for physicians to prescribe on a patient-by-patient basis, but many treatment have contraindications. Since there is insufficient evidence on the safety and efficacy of CAM techniques in the treatment of PCOS, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy and safety of CAM techniques in the treatment of infertile patients with PCOS. All of the studies are listed in Table 1.

2. Chinese Medicine Treatment of PCOS Infertility

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a CAM model, which is guided by the theory of yin-yang and five elements, five viscera, and six fu organs, qi, blood, and fluid, and takes syndrome differentiation and treatment as the treatment principle, and provides individualized diagnosis and treatment for infertility patients with PCOS. TCM diagnosis and treatment is rooted in China’s profound traditional cultural background, summarizes and sublimation of more than 5000 years of people’s practical experience, combined with modern medical theory of medical diagnosis and treatment. TCM is not limited to improving “symptoms,” but emphasizes the human body, society, and nature as a whole “holistic view,” through a variety of ways to treat patients with physiological and psychological “disease.” TCM has been spread to 196 countries and has achieved satisfactory results in more than one-third of the world’s population. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is the most distinctive treatment of TCM, which is divided into monomer and compound. Due to its obvious therapeutic effect and high safety, it is widely used in the treatment of infertile patients with PCOS [17]. TCM theory believes that the pathogenesis of PCOS infertility is due to deficiency to excess kidney deficiency, resulting in abnormal liver and spleen function and pathological products such as qi stagnation, phlegm dampness, and blood stasis [18]. In the theory of TCM, kidney contains kidney essence, kidney essence is the key material to nourish the human body to promote the development of reproductive function; it is the most fundamental nutrients in the human body. Therefore, most of the TCMs for PCOS infertility are kidney-tonifying, supplemented by qi-expelling, phlegm-resolving, blood-activating, and stasis-resolving therapies, with good clinical results. Therefore, the majority of scholars have carried out a large number of in vitro and in vivo experiments on TCM, studies have shown that TCM by regulating sex hormone levels, improves IR and promotes follicle development [19–22]. We have listed some RCTs in Table 2.

2.1. Clinical Observation of Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of PCOS Infertility

2.1.1. Clinical Observation of Chinese Medicine Monomer in the Treatment of PCOS with Infertility

(1) Clinical Application of Berberine. Berberine (BBR), an iso quinoline alkaloid, is widely found in many plants of the Berberaceae family, such as Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Phellodendri. BBR was initially used in gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea because of its excellent antibacterial effect. But in recent years, with the deepening of research, it has been found to be effective in improving IR, lowering androgen levels, and improving glucolipid metabolism, especially in PCOS patients with IR (IR) [23]. BBR can improve insulin sensitivity by regulating the signaling pathway of mTOR-IRS1 in patients to achieve the therapeutic effect of PCOS treatment [24]. For infertile patients with PCOS receiving assisted reproduction, BBR combined with ovulation induction drugs such as cyproterone acetate (CPA), clomiphene citrate (CC), and letrozole (LET) can improve the ovulation induction effect and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, thus BBR has a high potential research value [25, 26]. However, this conclusion is controversial. Wu et al. found that the pregnancy and ovulation rates of BBR combined with LET in the observation group were similar to those of the control group using BBR alone, which could not indicate that BBR improves pregnancy and ovulation rates in PCOS patients [27]. Further studies are needed to comprehensively evaluate the effect and mechanism of BBR in improving reproductive function in the future.

(2) Clinical Application of Cryptotanshinone. Cryptotanshinone (CRY), as the main lipid-soluble component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, has various pharmacological effects such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and so on [28]. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that CRY has a regulatory effect on the reproductive endocrine of ovarian organs and can significantly reduce serum androgen levels in PCOS patients [29, 30]. In an experiment using dehydroepiandrosterone to induce PCOS in a rat model, CRY was shown to improve PCO status, regulate the estrous cycle, and reduce testosterone (T), LH, and androstenedione [31]. Yang et al. found that CRY can regulate sex hormone disorder and promote follicle development in PCOS by inhibiting the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB/p65 in ovarian tissue and reducing the level of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α [32].

(3) Clinical Applications of Quercetin. Quercetin (QUE) is a phytoestrogen commonly found in herbal medicine and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoprotective, and even anticancer effects. The most important features of QUE are its estradiol-like structure and phytoestrogen activity, which can improve the clinical symptoms of obesity, infertility, and sex hormone disorders in PCOS [33]. Rezvan et al. have confirmed that QUE can increase adiponectin levels and reduce homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), T, LH, and insulin levels in PCOS patients [34], which is consistent with the results of Khorshidi [35] et al. The rat model suggests that QUE not only regulates the level of glucolipid metabolism and improves the level of sex hormones, but also has powerful antioxidant ability to improve ovarian PCO status [36].

2.1.2. Clinical Application of Commonly Used Compound Prescriptions

(1) Clinical Application of Liu Wei Di Huang Prescription. Liu Wei Di Huang Prescription (LDP, the main dosage form is decoction or pill) is a well-known formula for tonifying kidney yin, which was first recorded in Qian Yi’s “Key to Therapeutics of Children’s Diseases” in A.D.1114. LDP is composed of six Chinese medicines: Rehmanniae Radix, Corni Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, and Moutan Cortex, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can improve IR and HA [37]. LWP can regulate sex hormone levels and promote ovulation, so it is widely used in the treatment of infertility [38], PCOS [39], premature aging [40], diabetes [41] and other diseases.

(2) Clinical Application of Gui Zhi Fu Ling Pill. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Pill (GFP) is a classic formula for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which was first published in Zhang Zhongjing’s “Synopsis of Golden Chamber - Women’s Chapter” in the Eastern Han Dynasty [42]. GFP is composed of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, Poria, Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Moutan Cortex and Persicae Semen, etc. and is widely used in the treatment of PCOS, infertility, and endometriosis [45]. GFP can increase the pregnancy rate by improving the inflammatory response as well as regulating hormone levels and immune-related protein expression levels to alleviate PCOS-IR, improving ovarian function and promoting ovulation [42, 43]. Zhang found through experiments that the combined use of GFP and ovulation induction drugs for 3 months could significantly improve the ovulation situation and pregnancy rate of PCOS patients [44].

(3) Clinical Application of Shou Tai Pill and Zi Shen Yu Tai Pill. Shou Tai Pill (STP) is a classic formula for tonifying the kidneys and calming the fetus, which is taken from the book “Intergrating Chinese and Western Medicine” by the famous physician Zhang Xichun. STP is composed of four herbs: Corii Asini Colla, Taxilli Herba, Dipsaci Radix, and Cuscutae Semen, and is widely used in the treatment of abortion, assisted reproduction, and PCOS infertility [45]. Zi Shen Yu Tai Pill (ZYP) is a kind of Chinese medicine preparation based on Shoutai Pill, which is processed by the famous physician and professor Luo Yuankai, according to his personal experience, adding Chinese herbs such as Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Amomi Fructus. ZYP is of great significance in assisted reproduction [46]. Due to its remarkable clinical efficacy and high safety without obvious side effects, which was included in the National Basic Medical List in 2018 [47]. ZYP has the function of tonifying the kidney and spleen, nourishing blood and calming fetus, strengthening body and health. Both STP and ZYP have been shown that they have good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, and significantly increase pregnancy and live birth rates in PCOS patients by improving IR, promoting follicle development, and regulating hormone levels [48]. The above studies are listed in Table 3.

2.1.3. Clinical Application of Commonly Used Enema Formulae

Chinese medicine retention enema is a therapeutic means of introducing Chinese medicine with water decoction into the rectum through the anus with a catheter, so that the liquid is absorbed through the colorectum. It avoids the first-pass effect of the liver and increases the drug concentration in the uterus and adnexal areas. Therefore, enema is widely used in clinical infertility caused by PCOS, pelvic inflammatory disease, ovulation disorder, or tubal blockage [49, 50]. A RCT evaluated the efficacy and safety of prepregnancy enemas of Rehabin liquid (a Chinese patent medicine) in combination with mesalazine in women with active ulcerative colitis who had a need for fertility and found that it improved pregnancy outcomes and quality of life [51]. Duan and Lu found that Zichong granules (composed of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Cuscutae Semen, and Chuanxiong Rhizoma, etc.) could increase serum estrogen (E) level and produce estrogen-like effect in mice by rectal administration, thus promoting follicle development [52]. Zhao, C. verified this conclusion that oral administration of Chinese medicine combined with medicine enemas could significantly enhance the ovulation rate in patients with luteinized unrupture follicle syndrome (LUFS) [53].

2.2. Mechanism of Chinese Medicine on PCOS Infertility

2.2.1. Improve Hormone Levels and Promote Follicle Development

PCOS patients usually show abnormal sex hormone levels, which can interfere with the normal development of follicles. Liu found that LDP combined with CC could significantly reduce the number of antral follicles, ovarian volume, T, LH, and improve endometrial thickness and E levels in infertile women with PCOS, and enhance pregnancy rate (37.50% vs. 15% P < 0.05) [54], which is consistent with Li[55] and Zhang [48]. STP can increase E and progesterone levels, reduce serum D-dimer levels, improve endometrial blood flow, and enhance blastocyst implantation rate to improve the success rate of pregnancy [45, 56]. QUE, the most active compound in ZYP, can improve the aromatase activity of ovarian granulosa cells in high insulin level environment, promote FSH receptor expression, and E synthesis to induce ovulation [57].

2.2.2. Improving IR and Promoting Follicle Development

IR refers to the decrease in the efficiency of insulin uptake and utilization of glucose for various reasons, and the body compensatory secretion of excessive insulin resulting in hyperinsulinemia, to maintain the stability of blood glucose. IR stimulates the production of T in the ovaries and decreases the production of sex hormone binding globulin in the liver, thereby increasing free testosterone (FT) levels in the body [58]. GFP reduces inflammation by altering the structure of the intestinal flora, thereby improving IR [43]. Qiu et al. found that LDP could inhibit PI3/AKT activation, down-regulate mRNA expression of FSHR and Cyp19a1 in ovaries, improve insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and sex hormone levels in vivo, alleviate polycystic changes in ovaries, and inhibit premature follicular atresia [39]. Liu et al. came to a conclusion that GFP reduces T, LH and LH/FSH values in PCOS rats by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibiting autophagy of granulation cells, and promoting follicle development and alleviates ovulation disorders in PCOS-IR rats [42]. The network pharmacological analysis showed that ZYP could promote ovulation and improve IR in the treatment of PCOS by inhibiting OS and inflammation response [59].

2.2.3. Improved Pregnancy Outcomes in Ovulation Promotion and Assisted Reproduction

For infertile patients with PCOS who have fertility needs, first-line and second-line treatment such as lifestyle adjustment and ovulation induction therapy are usually preferred. For patients with ineffective treatment, they will eventually choose clinical third-line treatment to assist reproductive technology in order to achieve pregnancy. Chinese medicine significantly improves sex hormone levels, ovulation, and endometrial tolerance in PCOS patients during assisted reproduction, thereby increasing pregnancy and live birth rates. The number of high quality blastocysts significantly increased in 462 patients with expected poor ovarian response (POSEIDON Group 4) undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) after oral administration of Ding kun dan for 5–6 weeks [60]. In a double-blind, multicenter placebo, RCT with a sample size of 2265, administration of ZYP to infertile women undergoing IVF significantly increased the live birth rate compared to placebo before and after ovarian stimulation and ET (26.8% vs. 23.0% (rate ratio [RR], 1.16; 95% CI 1.01–1.34; P = .038) [46]. A metabolomic study suggested that ZYP may be involved in the regulation of endometrial proliferation, OS, and lipid metabolism, thus improving endometrial tolerance and oocyte quality and ultimately enhancing IVF live birth rates [140].

2.3. Safety of Chinese Medicine in Treating PCOS Infertility

The use of herbal medicines is common in infertile patients with PCOS, while some Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) may contain anthraquinones, flavonoids, and glycosides which are nephrotoxic as well as Polygonum multiflorum Thunb, Tripterygium wilfordii which are hepatotoxic and so on. In addition, they may affect maternal sex hormone levels and may have reproductive toxicity, teratogenic, and abortive adverse effects on the embryo. Most of the experiments did not consider the safety of CHMs. The Chinese medicines involved in this paper, such as BBR, ZYP, and Ding kun Dan, did not show any obvious adverse reactions and some mild adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal tract which occurred in a few patients but could be relieved spontaneously [27, 46, 60]. Therefore, in the treatment of PCOS infertility with TCM, studies on the adverse effects of Chinese medicine and the recommended doses are needed in the future.

3. Acupuncture for PCOS with Infertility

Acupuncture is a nondrug therapy in Chinese medicine, which refers to the use of acupuncture or moxibustion to stimulate special parts of the body to regulate the balance of yin and yang in the body and thus achieve the purpose of disease prevention and treatment. This medical method has a mature system and theory, and is based on the internal organs, meridians, qi and blood. As a symbol of TCM, it is being accepted by most countries in the world. Modern research shows that acupuncture cannot directly eliminate disease-causing factors or pathological tissues, but rather prevents or treats disease by activating complex regulatory systems and maintaining physiological homeostasis, thus improving the body’s ability to heal itself [61]. The effect on the human body is more likely to promote the robustness of the human body.

In recent years, acupuncture has been increasingly used in the treatment of gynecological diseases due to the advantages of easy and quick operation, better efficacy, and less side effects [62]. Wang, included 27 studies containing 7676 subjects and found that acupuncture was effective in treating infertility, especially in ovulatory disorders and PCOS combined infertility [63]. Quan et al. [64] also concluded that acupuncture or combined with other therapies significantly increased pregnancy and live birth rates in women with PCOS [64]. When acupuncture is applied to gynecological disorders, it can regulate the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (HPOA), promote ovulation, and improve endometrial tolerance. For summarizing the randomized clinical trials, please refer to Table 4.

3.1. Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture in the Treatment of PCOS with Infertility

Acupuncture includes general acupuncture, electro-acupuncture (EA), warm acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint injection, and auricular acupuncture. Among them, general acupuncture and EA are the most commonly used treatments in clinical practice, and they are the most effective and widely used; while moxibustion, warm acupuncture and other treatments related to acupuncture are seldom used alone, but mostly in conjunction with acupuncture or herbal supplemental treatments.

3.1.1. General Acupuncture

General acupuncture means inserting filiform needles into special parts of the body (acupoints) at an appropriate angle and using corresponding techniques, such as “lifting and inserting” and “twisting,” to enhance stimulation and achieve better therapeutic effects. Pan et al. used CHM combined with acupuncture as the observation group in an RCT, while the control group was treated with CHM and sham acupuncture. The acupoints mainly included RN4, EX-CA1, and ST29. The results showed that the PR and OR of the observation group were higher than that of the control group (46.34% vs. 18.42%, 58.14% vs. 45.74% P < 0.05) [65]. Lai et al. found that CC combined with CHM and acupuncture points RN4, RN3, and EX-CA1 could increase E2 levels, decrease LH and T levels, which can significantly increase PR in PCOS infertile patients compared with CC alone (PR: 46.5% vs. 30.2% P < 0.05) [66]. Lai et al. also demonstrated that acupuncture could significantly improve ovulation and normal menstruation rates in PCOS patients compared to controls [67–69]. In infertile patients with PCOS, abnormal hormone levels often result in reduced ER leading to low embryo implantation rate or biochemical pregnancy. Xie, H. also certified in an RCT that the combination of tonifying the kidney, resolving phlegm, and activating blood formula with acupuncture points RN6 and RN4 significantly thickened the endometrial thickness (9.58 ± 0.91 mm vs. 6.43 ± 0.87 mm P < 0.05), reduced PI and RI to improve ER and thus to increase PR [70]. He et al. [71] also concluded that acupuncture combined with LET could achieve a complementary and mutually reinforcing effect in significantly improving ER in infertile patients with PCOS [71].

3.1.2. Electroacupuncture

EA is the treatment of stimulating acupuncture points by connecting the needle handle to the electrode after the general acupuncture gets qi and using the EA instrument to output the microcurrent close to the human bio-electricity. The advantage is that the body is stimulated more strongly and consistently, and the acupuncturist is able to objectively control the amount of stimulation the acupuncture provides to the patient. Studies have shown that EA can promote oocyte growth in PCOS patients and increase oocyte maturation and fertilization rates [68, 69]. Li [72] found that EA combined with CHM not only improved the PR in PCOS patients (82.5% vs. 60% P < 0.05), but also reduced the incidence of adverse effects such as LUFS and OHSS during ovulatory treatment (2.5% vs. 20%,0% vs. 15.0% P < 0.05). Budihastuti et al. [73] draw a similar conclusion that LET combined with EA in ovulation induction therapy for PCOS patients could significantly improve uterine hemodynamics, promote follicle development (19.86 ± 0.7 mm vs. 13.92 ± 3.61 mm P < 0.05), and increased endometrial thickness (8.22 ± 1.76 mm vs. 6.95 ± 1.82 mm P < 0.05) [73]. In addition, Peng et al. [74] found that EA improved DAEA-induced IR, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in a rat model of PCOS by inhibiting the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway, and reversed the beneficial effects of EA on PCOS-like rats by inhibiting autophagy in a reversion experiment in which rats with improved symptoms were injected with 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor).

3.1.3. Moxibustion and Warm Acupuncture

According to TCM, deficiency of kidney yang, deficiency of cold in the cellular veins and stasis blocking the thoroughfare and conception vessels are important etiological mechanisms of infertility, and moxibustion is widely used in the improvement of assisted reproduction and metabolic abnormalities in infertile patients with PCOS, because of its effects on warming the menstrual channels and dispersing cold, reinforcing yang and prostration, eliminating stasis and resolving masses, as well as preventing disease and health care. [75] Yu et al. [76] found in an RCT that Chinese medicine combined with moxibustion at points BL23, DU2, DU4 and other acupoints could effectively regulate the level of sexual hormones, improve ovarian hemodynamics, increase OR, and thus improve PR (OR: 84.62% vs. 64.71%, PR: 48.8% vs. 23.53%, P < 0.05). Similar to moxibustion, warm acupuncture and moxibustion is a treatment in which moxa wool is twisted around the needle handle and ignited during needle retention, and the needle body transmits heat into the acupoint, which has the effect of warming the meridians and activating qi and blood. In an RCT, Liu et al. [77] found that on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, the application of warm acupuncture points ST25, RN12 and other acupoints combined with tonifying of kidney and eliminating blood stasis decoction was significantly improved in endometrial thickness (9.85 ± 1.27 mm vs. 7.29 ± 0.93 mm vs. 8.14 ± 1.12 mm P < 0.05) and follicle diameter (19.48 ± 2.40 mm vs. 16.36 ± 2.67 mm vs. 17.85 ± 2.28 mm) compared with the two groups of western medicine and CHM, and it improved sex hormone levels, endometrial blood flow parameters, reduced plasma peripheral platelet aggregation rate and D-dimer levels, and increased OR and PRs, and this conclusion is also verified by Xu, et al. [78].

3.1.4. Other Acupuncture-related Therapies

Acupoint injection is a way to treat diseases by injecting drugs into acupoints and organically combining the dual stimulating effects of acupuncture and drugs, which has the characteristics of easy operation, small amount of drugs, and wide indications. Acupoint injection assisted treatment of female infertility can often achieve better therapeutic effects. Cai et al. [79]. found that the injection of urinary gonadotropins into EX-CA1, RN3, RN4 and other acupoint significantly improved the quality and quantity of oocytes compared with intramuscular injection in the buttocks. In addition, PR and OR (PR: 46.7% vs. 26.7, OR: 86.7% vs. 56.7%, P < 0.05) could also be significantly improved. Wen et al. verified this experimental conclusion [80]. Auricular acupoint pressing is used to continuously stimulate some specific areas of the auricle by using the seeds of Vaccariae Semen to prevent and treat diseases. Studies have shown that auricular acupoint pressing combined with acupuncture can improve the level of sex hormones in PCOS patients, promote the follicle development and the increase of endometrial thickness, and regulate menstrual cycle [81]. However, there are few trials on acupoint injection, acupoint application, and auricular point, mostly in combination with other therapies, and the level of evidence is not high enough to elucidate the mechanism of action, so future trials with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated designs are needed to prove its effectiveness.

3.2. Mechanism of Acupuncture on PCOS Infertility

3.2.1. Regulation of HPOA Function

Modern studies have shown that acupuncture stimulation acts on local skin, the excitation of peripheral nerves is transmitted to the central nervous system, releasing brain neurotransmitters or neuropeptides acting on the HPOA, promoting ovarian vascular dilatation and blood perfusion in ovarian arteries, elevating E and endorphin levels in peripheral blood, and regulating the serum levels of GnRH, LH, FSH, and PRL in PCOS patients [82]. EA improved PCOS-IR by down-regulating hypothalamic NFκB protein expression and significantly reduced abdominal circumference, body weight, serum fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and IR in rats [83]. Zhu et al. [84] found that moxibustion could rescue the HPO axis of ovarian-injured rats, improve hypothalamic GnRH mRNA overexpression and abnormal secretion of reproductive hormones, and maintain normal ovarian function. Huang et al. [85] found that EA could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, inhibit autophagy-induced follicular atresia, and reduce serum T, LH, and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, thus improving ovulation. But on the other hand, some studies have also found that acupuncture can inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by down-regulating LncMEG3 expression, reduce granulocyte autophagy to promote follicle proliferation, and to ensure the normal development of follicles [86]. In TCM theory, acupuncture therapy has a two-way regulation of “activation” and “inhibition” to maintain body homeostasis, so it is assumed that acupuncture treatment also has bidirectional regulation of HPOA function.

3.2.2. Promotion of Ovulation

EA not only promotes angiogenesis in the antral follicles of PCOS rats, but also promotes follicular maturation and ovulation [87]. Yin et al. [88] found that EA combined with ovulatory induction drugs significantly improved the menstrual cycle in infertile patients with PCOS, decreased serum LH, LH/FSH, T and AMH levels, and increased ovulation and PRs. Xiang et al. [89] further found that EA improved oocyte quality and embryonic development potential by activating the IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4 signaling pathway. Li et al. [90] verified this conclusion that moxibustion improved ovarian function and inhibited ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. However, this conclusion has also had opposite results. Lai et al. [91] found that EA was able to inhibit the expression of IRS1 and IRS2 mRNA through experiments. In the future, further studies are needed to explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture in PCOS patients.

3.2.3. Improvement of ER

PCOS infertile patients who do not conceive after lifestyle regulation and ovulation induction treatment will eventually opt for ART to achieve pregnancy. However, the cycle PR of assisted reproductive techniques is still hovering at 30%–40% [92]. Owing to sexual hormone disorder and ovulation disorder, PCOS patients often reduce the PR and live birth rate of assisted reproduction due to the low number and poor quality of oocytes obtained, poor ER, and adverse reactions during ovulation induction and embryo transfer. ER refers to the ability of endometrium to accept embryo implantation that changes with menstruation, the influence of sex hormone levels, endometrial thickness, endometrial PI/RI and other factors. EA improves ER by regulating hormone levels and promoting the expression of factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the endometrium and ovary, which makes ER present as “trilinear endometrium” and increases pregnancy and embryo transfer rates [93, 94]. Yuan et al. [95] further found that acupuncture combined with CHM can improve the ER of ovulation induction mice by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, down-regulating the expression of miR-494-3p, increasing the expression of endometrial thickness, and ER-related factor HOXA10. Chen et al. [96] validated this conclusion that EA promoted endometrial angiogenesis and thus increased blastocyst implantation rate by activating VEGFR2/PI3K/AKT and VEGFR2/ERK signaling pathways. Shen et al. [97] used high-throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to comparatively analyze patients treated with acupuncture or not and found that circ-SFMBT2, circ-BACH1, and circ-LPAR1 circRNAs were significantly upregulated in patients treated with acupuncture. Therefore, it was also speculated that acupuncture could affect ER by regulating the expression of circRNA, thereby improving the PR and the success rate of ART.

3.2.4. Lose Weight

Studies have shown that 30–70% of PCOS women present with overweight/obesity and visceral obesity, and higher BMI is associated with poorer fertility prognosis [98, 99]. Hypothalamus plays a key role in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. Studies have shown that the key targets of acupuncture to improve obesity are mainly neurons or neuropeptides in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and peripheral hormones (leptin and insulin). Weight loss by reducing leptin and insulin expression to improve leptin and insulin sensitivity [100, 141]. Xu and Zuo [101] found that acupuncture could improve the body mass index (BMI) of infertile patients with PCOS, increase the response of ovulation induction in patients, and effectively shorten the cycle of pregnancy assistance (OR in ovulation promotion cycle: 93.3% vs. 80.0%, clinical PR 43.3% vs. 33.3% P < 0.05). Dou et al. [102]. found that acupuncture around the navel increased the PR in obese PCOS patients, which may be related to the increase of serum adiponectin and the decrease of BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), homeostasis model of IR, and serum leptin level. In addition, acupuncture can effectively reduce fasting insulin levels and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in abdominally obese patients with PCOS, and the therapeutic effect is better than that of diet control plus exercise alone [103]. The theory of TCM believes that acupuncture prescriptions should be “syndrome differentiation and treatment”, and individualized acupuncture prescriptions should be issued according to the actual situation of patients. There may be individual differences in the clinical manifestations of PCOS infertility patients, so individualized acupuncture prescription has a more positive effect on improving pregnancy outcomes in infertile patients with PCOS [104].

3.2.5. Improving Mood

Infertile women with PCOS are often more prone to stress and anxiety due to obesity and infertility, which in turn affect pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, improving patients’ mental health and adverse emotions has a significant role in the relief of PCOS symptoms and improvement of pregnancy outcomes. According to the theory of TCM, emotional disorder can easily lead to liver qi stagnation, disorder of liver drainage can lead to deregulation of qi and blood, and disorder of thoroughfare and conception vessels lead to unacceptable pregnancy. Therefore, soothing liver qi and regulating emotions are of great significance for the treatment of infertility. Modern medicine has also clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of psychological interventions in improving anxiety, depression and other adverse emotions, and also can significantly increase the PR [105, 142]. For infertile women with PCOS who are under great social and family pressure, acupuncture has become their best choice due to its less side effects and wide range of action mechanisms, and the combined therapy of acupuncture and Western medicine has been widely used in clinical practice [106]. Wang et al. found that EA improved anxiety/depression symptoms and quality of life in patients with PCOS, and that acupuncture combined with selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibitors can significantly improve anxiety compared with selective 5-HT inhibitors alone [107, 108].

3.3. The Safety of Acupuncture in Treating PCOS Infertility

Acupuncture therapy is known as a “economic therapy” due to its low invasive, easy to operate, and no gastrointestinal irritation. With the widespread use of acupuncture around the world, there is an increasing trend of reported adverse reactions to acupuncture. Kim et al. [109] believed that adverse infectious events caused by acupuncture may lead to serious consequences, but can be largely avoided if formal acupuncture procedures are followed and aseptic operation is standardized. The safety of acupuncture in the hands of a qualified practitioner is also appreciable. Petra Bäumler’s [110] meta-analysis showed that 9.31% (95% CI 5.10% to 14.62%, 11 studies) and 7.57% (95% CI 1.43% to 17.95%, 5 studies) of patients treated with acupuncture had at least one occurrence of a mild acupuncture adverse event, and half of the mild adverse events were pain, bleeding, and ecchymosis at the acupuncture site, while there was no adverse effect on the selection of IVF adjuvant therapy due to infertility. A retrospective cohort study in Korea reported no significant differences in delivery outcomes between the acupuncture and control groups of pregnant women, and the incidence of acupuncture-related adverse events during pregnancy was 1.3%, most of which were mild adverse events such as acupuncture pain [111]. Serious adverse events and fetal complications due to preterm delivery were rare, and the abortion rate was 5%, which was lower than the intervention of the control group [112]. This suggests that acupuncture will not have adverse effects and consequences for pregnant women, so acupuncture can be considered one of the safer medical treatment and can be widely used in patients with PCOS infertility through standardized practice by experienced practitioners.

4. Clinical Observation and Mechanism of Other Therapy for PCOS Infertility

In recent years, in addition to the above TCM and acupuncture, the supplement of nutrients and the cultivation of healthy lifestyle, which are also complementary and alternative therapies, have gradually attracted the attention of the researcher. They are impacting the traditional treatment of PCOS infertility and are increasingly accepted and used by infertility patients with PCOS [16].

4.1. Clinical Observation and Mechanism of Supplementing Nutrients in the Treatment of PCOS Infertility

Recently, a growing number of studies have found that the lack of vitamins and microelement is related to the occurrence and development of PCOS infertility. Vitamins, minerals, probiotic supplements and other dietary additives can significantly reduce PCOS-related symptoms [113]. The following mainly focuses on the effects of vitamin and microelement supplementation on infertile patients with PCOS.

4.1.1. Vitamin Supplementation

Vitamins are a kind of organic substances that are essential to maintain human life activities, which are mainly involved in the regulation of the body’s metabolism. Once deficient, it will cause damage to human health. Currently, vitamin D (VD)and E are the main vitamins that have been studied in the treatment of PCOS infertility.

VD deficiency is very common in women with PCOS. A study by Samantha F Butts et al. found that ovulation and live birth rates were 15.2% and 40% lower, respectively, in VD deficient PCOS patients than in normal women [114]. Recent studies have shown that VD supplementation can increase FSH levels in PCOS patients, thereby decreasing LH/FSH values, and improving IR and hyperlipidemia, thus increasing ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients [115, 116]. Severe OS is one of the causes of PCOS. Pallavi Dubey et al. found that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PCOS patients lead to IR, hyperandrogenism (HA), chronic inflammation, and affect oocyte fertilization and blastocyst implantation [113, 117]. Therefore, antioxidative stress may be one of the methods for the treatment of PCOS with infertility. ROS is a natural byproduct of normal oxygen metabolism and plays an important role in cell signaling and homeostasis in the body, and is produced at abnormally high levels in patients with PCOS due to an imbalance between oxidation and antioxidation [118]. VD and vitamin E (VE) can regulate the abnormally high level of ROS in the body. Chen et al. found that short-term VE supplementation can improve OS and reduce ROS levels and reduce the amount of exogenous human menopausal gonadotropin [119]. In addition to the fat-soluble VD and VE, water-soluble vitamins also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A study by Szczuko et al. found that water-soluble vitamins could improve the clinical symptoms of PCOS patients by reducing the low-intensity inflammatory response caused by multiple factors such as OS and chronic infection [120].

4.1.2. Microelement Supplementation

Microelements are mineral elements that are present in the body in amounts less than 0.01%. Although their content is minuscule, they play an indispensable role in the human body. Deficiency of a certain microelement inhibits sexual maturity and ovulation function of women, resulting in infertility and threatened abortion. For example, low serum Cu is closely related to recurrent abortion, missed abortion, and spontaneous abortion; low serum Zn can cause a decline in the synthesis and secretion of FSH and LH by the pituitary gland, resulting in ovulation disorders [121]. Relevant studies have found that women can comprehensively play the regulatory function of multiple trace nutrients by supplementing multiple microelements, and jointly play the role of promoting follicle development, preventing multiple birth defects of offspring and improving pregnancy outcomes [122]. Yu et al. found that ovulation and pregnancy rates of infertile patients with PCOS were significantly higher after taking MaFuLong combined with multivitamin tablets compared to the control group taking MaFuLong alone (ovulation rate: 86.67% vs. 63.33%, pregnancy rate: 46.15% vs. 15.79%) [121]. Montanino Oliva et al. also confirmed this conclusion, where women with PCOS showed improvements in their menstrual cycle, ovulation, and body weight after 6 months of continuous administration of a compound with inositol 2 g, L-tyrosine 0.5 mg, folic acid 0.2 mg, selenium 55 mcg, and chromium 40 mcg [123].

4.2. The Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Healthy Lifestyle in the Treatment of PCOS Infertility

Patients with PCOS are often associated with poor lifestyle habits, and the 2018 edition of the Chinese guidelines for the management of PCOS recommends that the development of a healthy lifestyle (including diet, exercise, and behavioral interventions) should be the preferred treatment for PCOS patients [124].

4.2.1. Lose Weight

The prevalence of obesity in PCOS patients ranges from 30% to 70% and obese PCOS patients are often associated with low fertility and infertility [99, 125]. In addition to unreasonable diet and lack of exercise, PCOS patients are more likely to have abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism due to poor insulin sensitivity, so the probability of obesity is significantly higher than that of normal women [126]. Therefore, a reasonable and efficient weight loss is particularly important for infertile women with PCOS. Weight loss not only improves metabolic abnormalities and insulin sensitivity, but also improves hyperandrogenemia and promotes follicle development. Dietary adjustment is one aspect of the weight loss approach that should not be ignored. Studies have shown that high-carb diet can easily lead to low-level chronic inflammation and obesity in the body, which aggravates ovulation disorders in patients with PCOS infertility [127]. The ketogenic diet is a diet that reduces the proportion of carbohydrate in the diet, and appropriately increases the proportion of vegetables and proteins, which can significantly improve the weight loss effect of PCOS-IR patients in clinical practice. By reducing the absorption of monosaccharide, the ketogenic diet decreases the glucose level in PCOS patients, which in turn lowers insulin levels to regulate glucolipid metabolism and improves the endocrine status [128]. Paoli et al. recruited 24 overweight women with PCOS and after 12 weeks of ketogenic diet, the weight and BMI of the experimental group decreased significantly (pre- and post-treatment weight: 81.19 ± 8.44 kg vs. 71.76 ± 6.66 kg; p < 0.0001; pre- and post-treatment BMI: 28.84 ± 2.10 vs. 25.49 ± 1.69; p < 0.0001) [129]. A total of 254 PCOS patients with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25) who were treated with IVF-ET assisted pregnancy by Tan et al. were randomly divided into the weight management strengthening group (80 cases with dietary intervention, the strengthening group), the weight management education group (80 cases, the education group), and the control group (94 cases). After 2 months of treatment, they entered the IVF cycle. BMI, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and HOMA-IR of visceral fat area in the strengthening group and the education group were significantly lower than those before weight loss (P < 0.05); the trend of the number of oocytes gained, total number of fertilization, total number of cleavage, number of high-quality embryos, and the clinical pregnancy rate among the three groups was strengthening group > education group > control group (P < 0.05) [130]. Therefore, weight loss is crucial for infertile patients with PCOS.

4.2.2. Exercise

For different clinical manifestations of PCOS, exercise and weight loss are still the first-line treatment in the world [131]. Li et al. found that aerobic exercise can improve T, E2, and FSH sex hormone disorders in PCOS rats by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, so as to promote follicle development and increase ovulation rate in PCOS patients [132]. Moderate amounts of vigorous exercise are beneficial to most women and may also improve the fertility of infertile patients with PCOS [133]. In aspects of exercise intensity, Cory T. Richards et al. argue that moderate intensity steady state exercise is recommended for PCOS patients compared with high-intensity interval training [134].

In addition to moderate and high intensity exercise, Tai Chi, yoga, Qigong and other exercise methods have also attracted more and more attention from infertile patients with PCOS in recent years. They can not only reduce weight, but also relieve tension and improve immunity of patients. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese boxing. According to TCM, kidney deficiency is the fundamental pathogenesis of ovulation disorder infertility [135]. Tai Chi focuses on the function of “activating the waist,” “waist is the house of the kidney,” and the exercise of the waist helps the accumulation of the essence of the kidney [136]. Therefore, the practice of Tai Chi helps to cultivate the essence and qi of the kidney, which has a positive effect on infertile patients with PCOS from the perspective of TCM. Yoga and Tai Chi are very similar limbs and trunk exercise therapies in the two ancient medical systems of China and India. Studies have found that infertile patients with PCOS are more prone to anxiety and depression than those with tubal factor infertility [137]. In a RCT conducted by Maryam Mohseni et al., they found that yoga practice could significantly reduce hypertrichosis and WHR in PCOS patients, and it was recommended to include it in the treatment strategy of PCOS women. In addition to Tai Chi and yoga, Qigong, as a unique Chinese gymnastics with health care, wellness, and disease elimination effects, is now widely used in disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Qigong not only promotes the circulation of qi and blood, but also regulates the emotions and relieves negative emotions through exercise. Sun Xiaoling et al. found that exercise can reduce IR, promote the recovery of ovarian function, and increase ovulation rate in PCOS patients, thus improving pregnancy rate [139]. Therefore, regular and moderate exercise is very important for infertile patients with PCOS.

5. Conclusion

This review mainly discusses the therapeutic effects of CHMs, acupuncture, nutrient supplementation, healthy lifestyle, Tai Chi, yoga, and Qigong of CAM on infertile women with PCOS. The results showed that CAM can improve IR and sex hormone disorders, enhance endometrial thickness, increase ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and improve anxiety status in infertile patients with PCOS. At present, few studies have reported the adverse effects of CAM on liver and kidney function and fertility outcomes of infertile women with PCOS, and few reports of abortion and malformation of embryos. CAM can not only regulate the current physical and mental health status of infertile patients with PCOS, but also regulate many long-term complications caused by PCOS. Overall, CAM is a safe treatment option for infertile patients with PCOS. However, due to the limited number of methods and trials included and the generally low quality, CAM needs to be studied in more depth and larger trials to demonstrate its efficacy and safety if it is to be used more widely in the clinic and mostly as an auxiliary to primary therapy for therapeutic purposes.

Abbreviations

PCOS:	Polycystic ovary syndrome
IR:	Insulin resistance
HOMA-IR:	Insulin resistance index
VE:	Vitamin E
OS:	Oxidative stress
FSH:	Follicle stimulating hormone
LH:	Luteinizing hormone
ART:	Assisted reproductive technology
VD:	Vitamin D
5-HT:	5-hydroxytryptamine
CAM:	Complementary and alternative medicine
HPOA:	Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis
TCM:	Traditional Chinese medicine
CHM:	Chinese herbal medicine
BBR:	Berberine
WHR:	Waist-to-hip ratio
CC:	Clomiphene
LET:	Letrozole
CRY:	Cryptotanshinone
PR:	Pregnancy rate
ASD:	Androstenedione
T:	Testosterone
QUE:	Quercetin
LDP:	Liu Wei Di Huang Prescription
GFP:	Gui Zhi Fu Ling Pill
PCOS-IR:	Polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance
STP:	Shou Tai Pill
ZYP:	Zi Shen Yu Tai Pill
LUFS:	Luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome
E:	Estrogen
CPA:	Cyproterone acetate
OR:	Ovulation rate
IVF-ET:	In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer
RCT:	Randomized controlled trial
PI:	Perfusion index
RI:	Resistive index
ER:	Endometrial receptivity
EA:	Electroacupuncture
OHSS:	Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
GnRH:	Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
AMH:	Anti-müllerian hormone
VEGF:	Vascular endothelial growth factor
BMI:	Body mass index
ROS:	Reactive oxygen species.

Data Availability

All data included in this study are available upon request by contact with the corresponding author.

Disclosure

Yu-Qian Shi and Yi Wang are co-first authors.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 82074259), the Project of Cultivation Project of Outstanding Youth Fund of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (grant no. 2018jc02), Luo Yuankai Young and Middle-Aged Scientific Research Fund Project of Zishen Yutai Pill (No. 20190804), as well as “Outstanding Young Academic Leaders” Scientific Research Project of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine to Y.Z.

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