Effect of Ethyl Acetate Leaf Extract of Gliricidia sepium on Thyroid and Reproductive Hormone Profiles in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the effects of oral administration of ethyl acetate leaf extract of Gliricidia sepium on thyroid and reproductive hormone profiles in Wistar rats. Study Design: Completely randomized controlled experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Animal House, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Chemical Pathology Laboratory, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, between May 2024 and October 2025. Methodology: The ethyl acetate fraction was obtained from a crude methanol extract. Acute oral toxicity was assessed using Lorke’s method. Twelve male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups. In Phase I, groups I–III received 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, while group IV served as the control. In Phase II, three rats received single oral doses of 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg body weight. Forty-eight adult Wistar rats (24 males and 24 females) were split up into four groups for the sub-chronic toxicity investigation. Group I received normal saline, whereas Groups II-IV received the extract at doses of 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg body weight daily for 28 days. Samples of blood were taken in order to analyze hormones. The microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure hormone levels. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for Windows, version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), was used to analyze the data collected for this study. Results: The extract had an oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of more than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Sub-chronic treatment did not result in significant alterations (p > 0.05) in TSH, T₃, T₄, testosterone, progesterone, prolactin, and FSH. Variations observed in LH and estradiol levels were attributable to physiological sex-related differences. Conclusion: Oral administration of ethyl acetate leaf extract of Gliricidia sepium at therapeutic doses appears relatively safe and does not adversely affect thyroid or reproductive hormone function in Wistar rats.