Alterations in Female Reproductive Hormones of Wistar Rats Sequel to the Administration of Xylopia aethiopica Fruit

Aim: This present study was designed to examine the impact of Xylopia aethiopica fruit on the reproductive hormones of female Wistar rats.

Methodology: The fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were air-dried and extracted by Soxhlet extractor using ethanol as solvent. The lethal dose of the plant extract was assessed by standard method. Thirty adult female Wistar rats were grouped into 5 of 6 rats each. Animals in groups A, B, C, and D were exposed to 130, 259, 389 and 518 mg/kg b. wt. of X. aethiopica fruit extract respectively, while those in group E received normal animal feeds and water only. The administration was done once daily for 28 days via oral route. Reproductive hormones were assay using ELISA techniques.

Results: A non-significant increase was observed in the blood concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) when animals exposed to 130 mg/kg b. wt. of Xylopia aethiopica fruit extract were compared with those in the control group. Increase in the dose of Xylopia aethiopica fruit extract resulted in a decrease in serum FSH levels. Administration of the extract for 28 days led to a dose-dependent decline in the blood level of luteinizing hormone (LH). The result of this study indicates the extract decreased serum level of progesterone in female rats at low doses of 130 mg/kg and 259 mg/kg when compared with those in the control group. However, increasing the dosage of the extract increases the serum progesterone concentrations. Administration of Xylopia aethiopica extract to animals for 28 days led to a dose-dependent decline in the serum concentration of estrogen. This decrease was significant (P<0.05) when the estrogen levels of animals exposed to 389 mg/kg and 518 mg/kg of Xylopia aethiopica extract were respectively compared with those in the control group. Conversely, Xylopia aethiopica extract increases serum levels of prolactin with respect to dosage.

Conclusion: The impact of Xylopia aethiopica extract on female reproductive hormones observed in this study showed that the extract might be a potent contraceptive. Contraceptives of plant origin should be generally acceptable because they are less expensive with minimum adverse effects than synthetic agents.