Published date: Nov 04 2021

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 19, Issue No. 10

Pages: 899-908

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i10.9822

Izuchukwu Azuka Okaforokaforizuchukwu33@gmail.comDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria.

Uchenna Somtochukwu OkaforHematology Department, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Victor NdukweDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Nigeria.

Background: Portulaca oleracea (PO) is a widely known plant utilized for its medicinal attributes in the treatment of different illnesses.

Objective: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of PO (MEPO) on ovariectomy-induced reproductive toxicity in normal cyclic rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty 10-wk-old normal cyclic rats weighing 110-200 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5/group). Group A served as the control and received distilled water only. Group B was ovariectomized without treatment, while groups C and D were ovariectomized but treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg of MEPO, respectively, for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum hormonal levels, and estrous cycles were monitored across the groups.

Results: Groups B, C, and D showed estrous cycle dysregulation and specific phase arrest when compared with the control. While a significant decrease in estradiol (p ≤ 0.001) and testosterone levels (p ≤ 0.001) were observed in groups B, C, and D, only groups C and D showed a significant increase in progesterone level when compared with the control (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion: The administration of 400 and 800 mg/kg MEPO is ineffective in ameliorating estrous cycle disruption and hormonal changes seen in ovariectomized normal cyclic adult Wistar rats.

Key words: Portulaca oleracea, Wistar rat, Ovariectomy, Estrous cycle, Hormones.

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