Estrogenic effects of the seeds and stem bark extracts of Ricinodendron heudelotii in adult ovariectomized Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a major public health problem in Africa. Most herbal remedies used for the treatment of women infertility are known to be estrogenic. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the estrogenic effects of the aqueous extracts of Ricinodendron heudelotii seeds and stem bark in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Adult ovariectomized rats were divided in groups of five animals and treated orally for seven consecutive days with both the seeds extract (SERH) and the bark extract (BERH) at 100 and 300 mg/kg and with Ethinylestradiol (0.02 mg/kg). The control group received distilled water. After treatments, vaginal smears were performed from the rats. Then the uterus, cervix and adrenal glands were weighted and the uterus stored in formalin 10% for histological analysis. Results: Ethinylestradiol as well as SERH at 100 mg/kg induced vaginal cornification and highly significant increase of the relative weight of the uterus and cervix in comparison to controls. SERH at 300 mg/kg and BERH at 100 and 300 mg/kg also induced significantly an increase of the relative weight of these organs. In addition, the adrenal glands relative weight was significantly augmented by SERH and BERH treatment. The histological examination of uterus showed the proliferation of the endometrium cells and development of numerous uterine glands in rats treated with Ethinylestradiol and the extracts at 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: R. heudelotii was found to show estrogenic effects on vagina, uterus, cervix and adrenal glands and the seeds extract exhibited greater estrogenic activities than the bark extract.