AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SOLANUM NIGRUM LEAF REVERSED REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ANASTROZOLE-INDUCED POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN RATS

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also referred to as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a common endocrine disorder that impacts 12-21% of women in their reproductive years.

Aim: The aqueous extract of Solanum nigrum leaves (AEoSNL) was investigated for its therapeutic effects on reproductive dysfunctions associated with anastrozole-induced PCOS in Wistar rats.

Method: Sixteen female Wistar rats (160.46 ± 4.11 g) were divided into four groups (A-D): group A were not induced into PCOS, while those in groups B, C and D were induced into PCOS by oral administration of 0.5 mg/kg body weight of anastrozole dissolved in 1% CMC (2 mL/kg) daily for 21 days. Animals in groups A and B both received 0.5 mL of distilled water, C and D received 0.5 ml co-administration of metformin (7.14mg/kg/day) and clomiphene citrate (2mg/kg/day) metformin, and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) of AEoSNL once daily for fourteen days post-induction. Vaginal cytology, ovarian histology and levels of some reproductive hormones in the serum were determined.

Result: Anastrozole administration resulted in disrupted oestrous cyclicity, ovarian cyst formation and altered hormonal levels thereby replicating PCOS-like symptoms. The administration of 200mg/kg (bw) AEoSNL to PCOS rats significantly decreased (P≤ 0.05) serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration but there was no significance difference (P≥0.05) in the prolactin level when compared with the control. The AEoSNL reversed the hyperandrogenemia, LH hypersecretion and irregular estrous cycle in PCOS-induced rats.

Conclusion: This study suggests that, 200 mg/kg(bwt) of AEoSNL exhibit therapeutic functions in anastrozole-induced PCOS in rats and can be explored in an anti-PCOS drug design subject to further experimentation.