en عمومى General پژوهشي Research <span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><b><span style="color:#2d73b4">Background: </span></b>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, demanding the development of safe and effective treatment. <i>Cornus capitata</i> Wall. fruits are particularly known for their anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and therapeutic potential of the methanolic extract of <i>Cornus capitata</i> Well. fruits (MECCF) using the fish embryo toxicity assay and testosterone-induced PCOS in the zebrafish model.<b> </b><br> <b><span style="color:#2d73b4">Methods: </span></b>The phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ferric reducing power assay) of MECCF were evaluated. Embryo toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish embryos based on survival and morphological analyses using different concentrations of MECCF (5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.3125, 0.156 g/L). Adult zebrafish (3-8 months) were given testosterone (100 ng) dissolved in distilled water containing 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, followed by MECCF treatment (31.25 mg/L, 62.25 mg/L).<br> <b><span style="color:#2d73b4">Results: </span></b>In vitro antioxidant studies revealed a significant free radical scavenging property of MECCF. The embryo toxicity assay revealed that MECCF concentrations of 5, 2.5, 1.25, and 0.625 g/L indicated the highest rates of lethality. Moreover, 0.3125 and 0.156 g/L were found to have no lethal effects even after 9 hours post-fertilization. Exposure to 62.25 mg/L MECCF in adult zebrafish resulted in significant changes in testosterone levels, gonadosomatic index, and ovarian health.<br> <strong><span style="color:#2d73b4"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Conclusion</span></span></strong><b><span style="color:#2d73b4"><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">: </span></span></b>The MECCF exhibits potent antioxidant activity and improves testosterone-induced PCOS symptoms in adult zebrafish, with low toxicity at appropriate concentrations in zebrafish embryos. Observed therapeutic effects may be attributed to the presence of triterpenoids and flavonoids, supporting its potential as a natural candidate for managing PCOS symptoms.</span></span><br> &nbsp; Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Testosterone, Toxicity, Zebrafish 189 196 http://ijt.arakmu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1389-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Indu Tewari indu.tewari12@gmail.com 100319475328460018767 100319475328460018767 No Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Veerma Ram vrgodara@gmail.com 100319475328460018768 0009-0005-0817-7200 No School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Sanjay Singh sanjaymph@gmail.com 100319475328460018769 100319475328460018769 No Principal, Siddhartha Institute of Pharmacy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Mamta F Singh mamta_fr2002@yahoo.co.in 100319475328460018770 100319475328460018770 Yes College of Pharmacy, COER University, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India.