Table 2 Representing the methodology of experiment for PCOS induction and treatment phase

1

Dosing schedule during the disease induction phase

1. Normal control (N.C)

Normal rat diet and water

2. Disease control (Diseased, untreated)

Estradiol valerate (EV) was injected intra-peritoneally (2 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.1 mL of corn oil (a single dose) to induce PCOS

2

Dosing schedule during the treatment phase

1. Normal control (N.C)

Normal rat diet and water

2.Disease control (Diseased, untreated)

Normal rat diet and water

3.Standard metformin 28 mg/kg

Metformin 28 mg/kg was administered to EV induced PCOS rats

4. Fagonia indica (F. indica) 500 mg/kg

Treated with F. indica (500 mg/kg) herbal extract

5. Low dose of Fagonia indica coated chitosan nanoparticles(FICNPs) (50 mg/kg)

Treated with low dose of F. indica coated chitosan nanoparticles (50 mg/kg)

6.High dose of FICNPs 100 mg/kg

Treated with high dose of F. indica coated chitosan nanoparticles (100 mg/kg)

3

After treatment Phase (First Filial Generation)

1.Three rats from group 3 (Standard metformin 28mg/kg) paired with normal male rats (1:1)

Feed with normal rat diet and water without any treatment for F1 generation studies

2. Three rats from group 6 (treated with high dose of FICNPs 100 mg/kg) paired with normal male rats (1:1)

Feed with normal rat diet and water without any treatment for F1 generation studies