REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION AND LIPID PROFILE EVALUATION OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF BREYNIA NIVOSA (‘OGWU EZE’) IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS
Enwelum H. O., Nwankwo A. A., Timothy C. O., Nwozor C. M.*, Adinnu D. C., Iwuamadi C. E. and Ifemenam K. E.
ABSTRACT
The reproductive functions as well as the effect on lipid profile of female albino rats fed with ethanolic extract of Breynia nivosa leaf were assessed. The extraction was carried out with 70% ethanol after the leaves were air dried for 2 weeks and ground. Gas chromatographic study, as well as the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screenings of the leaf extract were evaluated using standard methods. The extract was orally administered to albino rats weighing between 160g to 180g which were randomly grouped into five (5) groups with five wistar rats per group. Groups 1-3 received 300mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 100mg/kg respectively of the ethanol extracts while group 4 received 10mg of atorvastatin and group 5 served as control received water and rat chow ad libitum. After a period of 21 days of the extract administration the rats were sacrificed under ketamine anaesthetic and the serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and oestrogen and lipid profile were analysed. The gas chromatogram showed that the extract contains ninety one (91) compounds with Hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester (5.54) as the highest percentage followed by Linoleic acid ethyl ester (4.05) and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (4.04) while Heptadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl is the least percentage. The result of the phytochemical analysis showed that the leaf contains abundant cyanogenic glycosides, moderate alkaloids and tannins, and traces of phenols, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. The quantities of the parameters showed phenols (0.22±0.01), alkaloid (3.31±0.01), flavonoid (1.65±0.00), saponins (0.84±0.00), steroids (0.18±0.10), cyanogenic glycosides (4.54±0.02) and tannins (1.9±0.02). While result of the hormone assay showed that the leaf extract significantly decreased progesterone level in group 1 and 2 (p<0.05) and also group 3 but statistically not significant (p>0.05). The extract also significantly decreased oestrogen (p<0.05) in group 1 with non-significant increase in groups 2 and 3 (p>0.05). The Leaf extract also significantly decreased the level of FSH group 1 (P<0.05) as well as groups 2 and 3 but statistically not significant (p>0.05). The leaf extract significantly decreased the level of LH in group 3 (P<0.05). The B. nivosa significantly increased the levels of LD (p<0.05), total cholesterol (p<0.05) and triglyceride (p<0.05) when compared with both the positive control and control but significantly decreased HDL (p<0.05). From the above findings, the use of Breynia nivosa leaf should be done with caution as it possesses a hyperlipidemic effect and the tendency to decrease fertility in female as shown by a decrease in female sex hormones.
Keywords: Breynia nivosa, female wistar rats, hypolipidemic activities, reproductive function.
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