Abstract

THE EFFECTS OF LAWSONIA INERMIS SEEDS ON ESTRUS CYCLE AND REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES OF FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Nuha M.E. Agabna*, Sania A.I. Shaddad, A.K. Mudathir, Affaf I. Abulgassim and Sami Kalid

Abstract

Lawsonia inermis (henna) family Lythraceae is used in many parts of the world as colorant and dye, beside other therapeutic uses. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the seeds extract on uterine contraction, estrous cycle, serum levels of reproductive hormones, and subsequent effects on ovaries and uterus histology. Method: Eighteen regularly cycling female albino rats were selected and divided into three groups of six each; one control receiving normal saline orally 10ml/kg once daily. The second and third groups received the ethanolic extract of the seeds at doses of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg orally once daily for two weeks. Animals were examined two weeks after stopping treatment to see if the effects were reversed. Another group of 18 animals divided similarly, were given the extract and normal saline for two weeks. Twenty four hours after the last dose blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. Animals were sacrificed under light ether anesthesia; uteri and ovaries were quickly removed and weighed, then preserved in formal saline to prepare histological slides later. Results: The extract caused significant uterine contraction. The estrous cycle was extended to 5.45 ± 0.24, and 5.68 ± 0.13 days in the 0.5 and 1.0 g/Kg groups respectively compared to 4.2 ± 0.2 days in the control group. All estrous stages were extended significantly in the treated groups. The cycles returned to normal after stopping the doses. Serum levels of estradiole and progesterone were lower in treated groups than control; however, the reduction was not statistically significant. The weight of the ovaries was reduced significantly (p = 0.01, 0.026 respectively) in the treated groups, the uteri weight were also reduced yet statistically insignificant. Histopathological study showed changes in ovarian and uterine tissues. Conclusion: The ethanol seeds extract of L. inermis is uterotonic, disrupts the estrous cycle reversibly, reduced estrogen and progesterone levels and reduced ovarian and uterine weights.

Keywords: Antifertility, uterotonic, L. inermis, ovaries, progesterone.