Effects of Extracts of Anchomanes difformis on Female Sex Hormones: Preliminary Results

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of extracts of Anchomanes difformis on female sex hormones in albino wistar rats. Forty female albino wistar rats weighing between 150-200 g divided into five groups of eight rats each were used for the work that lasted for four weeks. Group 1, the control group received normal saline and normal rat chow, while the test  groups 11,111,1V and V received 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg per kilogram body weight  of the extract respectively throughout the duration of the experiment, in addition to normal rat feed and water ad libitum. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture after chloroform anaesthesia every two weeks from four rats per group and assayed for the following sex hormones: Oestradiol, FSH, prolactin, LH and progesterone. The results showed statistically dose dependent decrease in the serum levels of oestradiol and progesterone in the test groups after two weeks of treatment when compared with the control (p<0.05). Furthermore, after four weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant dose dependent decrease in the serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone in the test groups when compared with the control (p<0.05). The statistically significant decrease in LH was not dose dependent. In conclusion, extracts of Anchomanes difformis reduced the serum levels of female sex hormones in albino wistar rats. This may explain the use of this extract by alternative medicine practitioners in the treatment of uterine fibroids.