Anti-fibrotic Potential of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African Walnut) Leaves Extract on Diethylstilbestrol Induced Rat Model of Uterine fibroid

Abstract

Background: The increased prevalence of Uterine fibroid and its life-threatening impact among women of reproductive age led to the development of this study. The study investigated the anti-fibrotic potential of Tetracarpidium conophorum aqueous extract on uterine fibroid (UF) induced rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four (64) female Wistar rats, with an average weight of 200 g, were used for the study. The rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of 8 animals each. UF was induced by oral administration of diethylstilbestrol and intramuscular injection of progesterone at dosages 1.35 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Group 1 was administered normal saline orally for 8 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with progesterone and a combination of DES and progesterone, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 were pre-treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg T. conophorum extract respectively for 3 weeks before the administration of DES and progesterone for 5 weeks. Group 6 and 7 were administered DES and progesterone for 5 weeks before being treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg T. conophorum extract respectively for 3 weeks. Group 8 was the self-recovery group-administered DES and progesterone for 5 weeks after which they were given normal saline orally for 3 weeks. Results: After the treatment period, the rats were euthanized, and blood was collected while the uteruses were harvested. Co-administration of DES and progesterone produces UF conditions. However, pre-treatment and posttreatment with 200 mg/kg of extract mitigated the effects that were induced by DES and progesterone, but no remarkable preventive and curative effects were observed with the higher dosage (400 mg/kg). There was a reduction of the serum prolactin level in the treatment groups and increased serum progesterone level in the posttreatment group. Conclusion: The study has shown that T. conophorum have both preventive and curative effect on UF at low dosage (200 mg/kg).