Modulatory Effects of Aqueous Moringa Olifera Extract in Lead Mediated Endometriosis in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Context: The study aims to evaluate the modulatory effect of an aqueous extract of Moringa olifera on lead-mediated endometriosis in Wistar rats. Settings and Design: Twenty-five female Wistar rats were used for the study. The rats were divided into five groups, each containing five rats, and were treated daily for fourteen days. Group I (Control) was administered 5ml/Kg of distilled water per oral (PO), Group II was given 50mg/Kg of Lead PO, Group III was given 50mg/Kg Lead and 100mg/Kg of aqueous Moringa olifera extract (AMOE), Group IV received 50mg/Kg Lead plus 200mg/Kg AMOE while Group V received 50mg Lead plus 300mg AMOE PO. Results: At the end of the experiment, there was decreased estrogen level across the groups with only group II being significant (P<0.5) relative to the control, Progesterone levels increased significantly in all the groups relative to the control, Inflammatory markers Interleukin-6 levels decreased significantly in all the treated groups relative to the control group(P<0.5), however only groups II and III showed significant increases in Tissue necrotic factor. SOD levels decreased significantly in all the treated groups while MDA increased in groups II, III, and V (P<0.5). Histologically, Groups II-V showed varying degrees of loose cytoplasmic content, cell edema, and vascular degeneration with Group II also displaying extensive hemorrhage, the number of primordial follicles decreased significantly across groups II-V, primary follicles also decreased significantly in groups II and III, while secondary follicles increased significantly in Groups III and V (P<0.5). Conclusion: Results showed that Lead could induce endometriosis, especially through oxidative stress, AMOE, however, offers a modulatory effect, adjudged by it’s effects on inflammatory markers, hormone concentration as well as oxidative stress markers.