KOMOLAFE, MARVELLOUS OLAOLUWA (2021). Toxicological Evaluation of Ethanoic Extract of Parquetina nigrescens Leaves (Afzel.) on Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Wistar rats

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a prevalent endocrine condition that affects roughly 5-7% of women of reproductive age and is the leading cause of infertility in women. Although various drugs like metformin have been used in the treatment of PCOS, side effects like lactic acidosis and gastrointestinal symptoms have brought about limiting effect of this drug. Thus, the need to explore alternative option like medicinal plants such as Parquetina nigrescens and evaluate its phytoconstituents and toxicity of ethanolic fraction of the leaves. The biochemical and toxicological effects of ethanoic extract of Parquetina nigrescens leaves (EEPNL) was investigated at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight on letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) using Wistar rats. Twenty female Wistar rats (170.81 ± 5.25g) were randomly assigned into 5 groups (A - E) of four animals. Animals in group A recieved 1 ml of distilled water orally on daily basis for a period of 21 days while the rats administered with letrozole (1mg/kg body weight) in group C was treated with, 7.14mg/kg of metformin and 2mg/kg clomiphene citrate (reference drug) for 21 days and the rats in groups D and E were treated with extract (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) of EEPNL was administered 14 days respectively after which the rats were sacrificed and the levels of some biochemical and toxicological indices were determined by assessing the liver function indices, kidney function indices, and enzyme assay. Data was subjected to analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test. The toxicological evaluation of the ethanoic evaluation of P. nigrescens on letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in female albino rats has given an insight to the effect of this leaf in the normal function of the kidney and liver of the animal.