Potential new plant-based therapy for PCOS, 2 academic papers and boosted confidence thanks to JNE funded grant
In December 2024, Professor Oluwole Akinola (pictured top right) and student Joseph Enya (pictured top left), University of Ilorin, Nigeria were awarded the BSN’s Project Support Grant to explore a new plant-based therapy for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The funding allowed them to find a new mechanistic pathway for targeting central neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS—an area where current treatments are limited. As with all BSN grants the funding came directly from our Society-owned journal, Journal of Neuroendocrinology (JNE).
Oluwole and Joseph were exploring whether the plant Spondias mombin could mediate the hypothalamic neuropeptide FF receptor 1 agonism and therefore provide a new therapeutic approach for PCOS.
Receiving the Project Support Grant enabled Oluwole and Joseph to access quality reagents, kits, and services that are often expensive and so out-of-reach in Nigeria. After six months of research, the study findings showed that Spondias mombin leaf flavonoids can reverse hypothalamo–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis dysregulation in a DHEA-induced rat model of PCOS, potentially paving the way for a novel, plant-based therapy that not only manage symptoms but could also modify the disease itself.
By demonstrating that the plant flavonoids modulate the hypothalamo–pituitary–ovarian axis via NPFFR1 signalling, Oluwole and Joseph’s work opens a new mechanistic pathway for targeting central neuroendocrine dysfunction in PCOS—an area where current treatments are limited. This could inspire the development of NPFFR1-focused drugs or nutraceuticals for reproductive and metabolic disorders.
Speaking on how the JNE-funded Project Support Grant supported them personally and academically, Oluwole and Joseph said:
“The grant greatly improved the standard and scope of our study. It boosted research output, skills, and confidence, strengthened our local laboratory capacity and enhanced our professional ranking nationally and internationally.”
This exciting new research, supported with funds from JNE, has resulted in:
- A published paper: Enya, J. I., & Akinola, O. B. (2025). Effects of Spondias mombin polyphenols intervention on hypothalamic neuropeptide FF-1 receptor signalling in dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rat. Neuroscience, 580, 14. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.05.253.
- An academic paper currently in review
- Oral presentation
- Poster presentation
- Conference attendance
- New laboratory skills
- Lead researcher on grant application
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