Essential oil, juice, and ethanol extract from bergamot confer improving effects against primary dysmenorrhea in rats

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common gynecological disorders among young women. Bergamot is rich in natural bioactive ingredients, which could potentially ameliorate PD. We aimed to investigate whether the bergamot products (essential oil, juice, and ethanol extract) could improve PD induced by estradiol benzoate and oxytocin. The rats were supplemented with the three doses of bergamot products and positive drugs by gastric perfusion, respectively. The results demonstrated that bergamot products could alleviate PD with dose-dependence via inhibiting the growth of PGF_2α /PGE₂ ratio, accumulation of MDA, and release of iNOS, and promoting the activities of T-AOC, SOD, CAT, and GSH in uterine tissues. Furthermore, bergamot products could mitigate the writhing response and histopathological alterations in uterine tissues. In addition, bergamot essential oil had greater benefits than the corresponding dose of juice and ethanol extract. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: An increasing number of young women suffered PD, severely impacting their life. Seeking a healthy diet therapy can effectively avoid the adverse effects of PD drugs. Bergamot as natural fruit is rich in several bioactive ingredients. This study reported the function of bergamot products for alleviating PD via regulating the levels of prostaglandins and inflammatory mediator, and the capacities of antioxidants. This research provides insights for the development of functional foods with improving effect against PD. It also offers us a theoretical basis for the reasonable application of different forms of bergamot products.