Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Inofolic Plus® contains several nutritional elements including myo-inositol, melatonin, and folic acid. Myo-inositol was found to be helpful in improving egg quality and/or quantity in women with an ovarian abnormality called polycystic ovarian syndrome as well as in women without the disorder undergoing assisted reproduction.

Myo-inositol and folic acid are compounds that belong to the family of B-vitamins. Inositol is normally found in several types of foods. Folic acid has been found to significantly decrease the incidence of certain types of birth defects in women taking sufficient amounts prior to and during pregnancy. Preliminary studies using myo-inositol and folic acid demonstrated improvement in egg quality in-vitro and in-vivo as well as multiple metabolic parameters in women with irregular menstrual cycles and certain types of hormone imbalances.

Melatonin is a potent antioxidant. Folic acid is not classified as an antioxidant but has been reported to have antioxidant-like activity. Antioxidants have been given to infertile men for years to improve egg parameters. Most recently, studies have documented the efficacy of antioxidant treatment on human egg parameters and fertilization rates, especially in the setting of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Inofolic Plus® contains melatonin and folic acid. Dr. Roseff hypothesizes that Inofolic Plus® may be effective in correcting abnormal egg parameters in women. A woman may have abnormal eggs from being exposed to environmental and workplace toxins that generate oxygen free radicals in her body (known as reactive oxygen species, or ROS). These ROS circulate through the blood stream and can enter the ovaries where eggs are stored. Eggs may be sensitive to ROS, and damage from the ROS may result in poor egg quality or quantity or both. The combination of nutrients and antioxidants in Inofolic Plus® may help to correct these abnormalities. Melatonin is a natural hormone normally found in the brain. This hormone helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. Melatonin levels increase during the evening and remain high during the night. This elevated level of melatonin is thought to induce drowsiness. It is because of this effect that we recommend taking Inofolic Plus® in the late evening near bedtime.