摘要
Objective:In Port Harcourt and its environs,extracts of Cleistopholis patens are used by traditional medicine healers for the treatment of menstrual irregularities and other gynaecological disorders.The objective of this study was therefore to determine the effects of orally administered methanol extract of the stem bark of Cleistopholis patens on the reproductive organs of non-pregnant albino(Wistar) rats.Methods:3g/kg(low dose) and 6g/kg(high dose) of the extract were administered orally,daily to two different groups of animals,respectively, over a period of 28 days.A third(control) group of animals received distilled water only,orally over the same period.Five animals from each of the groups were sacrificed on day 8,15 and 29.Venous blood samples and reproductive organs respectively were taken from each group of sacrificed animals for hormonal and histopathological analysis.Results:Results of the hormonal assay revealed a general increase in the levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH),Luteinizing Hormone(LH),progesterone,and estrogen.The highest levels were noticed in the animals sacrificed on the 29th day(LH =5.48±0.04 IU/L;FSH =3.80±0.00 IU/ L;Progesterone =7.14±0.15 nmol/L;Estrogen = 0.168±0.002 nmol/L).These increases were statistically significant compared to those of the control animals(LH =2.90±0.00 IU /L;FSH = 1.28±0.02 IU/L; Progesterone = 3.80±0.00 nmol/L;Estrogen = 0.130±0.002 nmol/L;P【0.05),and were also dose dependent. Results of the histopathological studies showed presence of chronic inflammatory cells in the tissues of the fallopian tubes and uterus on the 29th day.However,no changes were observed in the ovaries.Conclusion: The administration of the extract produced a dose and time-dependent increase in FSH,LH,progesterone and estrogen levels.We postulate that these observed effects may have been induced by the phytoestrogens (known to have 1/1 000 th of the efficacy of natural oestrogens) in the extract.The hormonal and histopathological changes may explain the effects described by patients following ingestion of extracts of this plant in traditional medical practice.However,it remains to be determined if these effects are harmful or beneficial in disease conditions.
Objective:In Port Harcourt and its environs,extracts of Cleistopholis patens are used by traditional medicine healers for the treatment of menstrual irregularities and other gynaecological disorders.The objective of this study was therefore to determine the effects of orally administered methanol extract of the stem bark of Cleistopholis patens on the reproductive organs of non-pregnant albino(Wistar) rats.Methods:3g/kg(low dose) and 6g/kg(high dose) of the extract were administered orally,daily to two different groups of animals,respectively, over a period of 28 days.A third(control) group of animals received distilled water only,orally over the same period.Five animals from each of the groups were sacrificed on day 8,15 and 29.Venous blood samples and reproductive organs respectively were taken from each group of sacrificed animals for hormonal and histopathological analysis.Results:Results of the hormonal assay revealed a general increase in the levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH),Luteinizing Hormone(LH),progesterone,and estrogen.The highest levels were noticed in the animals sacrificed on the 29th day(LH =5.48±0.04 IU/L;FSH =3.80±0.00 IU/ L;Progesterone =7.14±0.15 nmol/L;Estrogen = 0.168±0.002 nmol/L).These increases were statistically significant compared to those of the control animals(LH =2.90±0.00 IU /L;FSH = 1.28±0.02 IU/L; Progesterone = 3.80±0.00 nmol/L;Estrogen = 0.130±0.002 nmol/L;P<0.05),and were also dose dependent. Results of the histopathological studies showed presence of chronic inflammatory cells in the tissues of the fallopian tubes and uterus on the 29th day.However,no changes were observed in the ovaries.Conclusion: The administration of the extract produced a dose and time-dependent increase in FSH,LH,progesterone and estrogen levels.We postulate that these observed effects may have been induced by the phytoestrogens (known to have 1/1 000 th of the efficacy of natural oestrogens) in the extract.The hormonal and histopathological changes may explain the effects described by patients following ingestion of extracts of this plant in traditional medical practice.However,it remains to be determined if these effects are harmful or beneficial in disease conditions.
