Abstract
Hyperprolactinemia is a major cause of infertility, and herbal remedies have been employed locally for treatment. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of a poly herbal mixture consisting of Bambusa vulgaris, Momordica charantia, Rauwolfia vomitoria, Ficus sur, and Clerodendrum capitatum on the reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters of haloperidol-induced hyperprolactinemic rats. Forty two female albino rats were divided into 7 groups of 6 in each group. Groups 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were given increasing doses (2, 3 and 4 mg/kg body weight in five-daily increments) of haldol by intramuscular injection for 15 days after which they were treated for another 15 days with either 2.5 mg/kg body weight of bromocriptine (group 4 only) or 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract (groups 5, 6 and 7, respectively). Group 1 was given distilled water only while group 3 was given 25 mg/kg body weight extract only. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed and blood was taken from each group for plasma analysis of the reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters. Prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and estrogen were assayed. The fasting blood glucose, total protein and the lipid profile (total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol) were also determined. The result showed a dose-dependent significant reduction in the prolactin level by the extract with increase in the levels of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), lieutenizing hormone (LH) and estrogen. There was also a decrease in the levels of the triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol while HDL was increased. In conclusion, the polyherbal preparation was able to reverse the hyperprolactinemia with its associated endocrine and metabolic changes in a manner comparable to that of bromocriptine. Key words: Hyperprolactinemia, haldol, polyherbal decoction, reproductive hormones, metabolic indices.
Highlights
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of elevated serum prolactin
For follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lieutenizing hormone (LH), the trends were similar as the lowest levels of the two hormones were found in the group treated with haldol only, and these values were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared to the controls
Several herbal preparations have been employed by people from various races and tribes to treat hyperprolactinemia, and these preparations have been claimed to be effective (Hasani-Ranjbar et al, 2010)
Summary
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of elevated serum prolactin. Hyperprolactinemia may cause production and spontaneous flow of breast milk and disruptions in the normal menstrual period in women, and hypogonadism, infertility and erectile dysfunction in men (Nilsson et al., 2009). Hyperprolactinemia can be a part of normal body changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It can be caused by diseases affecting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, disruption of the normal regulation of prolactin levels by drugs, medicinal herbs, heavy metals, and it may be from disease of other organs such as the liver, kidneys, ovaries and thyroid (Mancini et al, 2008). The symptoms associated with hyperprolactinemia may be due to several factors like the direct effects of excess prolactin, such as the induction of galactorrhea or hypogonadism; the effects of the structural lesion causing the disorder (the pituitary tumor), causing conditions such as headaches, visual field defects, or external ophthalmoplegia. It is not possible to elucidate the cause of hyperprolactinemia
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