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Portulaca oleracea shows no ameliorative potential on ovariectomy-induced hormonal and estrous cycle dysregulation in normal cyclic rats: An experimental study
Okafor, Izuchukwu Azuka; Okafor, Uchenna Somtochukwu & Ndukwe, Victor
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Portulaca oleracea; Wistar rat; Ovariectomy; Estrous cycle; Hormones.
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