Bleu Gomé Michel1*, Kpahé Ziéhi Fidèle1, Obou Constantin Okou2, Kouakou Koffi3, Traoré Flavien4
1Laboratory of Biodiversity and Tropical Ecology, Department of Biodiversity and Sustainable Ecosystem Management, Environment Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Ivory Coast
2Laboratory of Agro-valorisation, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Ivory Coast
3Laboratory of Biology and Health, Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology Educational and Research Unit, Biosciences Training and Research Unit, Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
4Laboratory of Biology and Health, Animal Physiology Educational and Research Unit, Biosciences Training and Research Unit, Félix Houphouet-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
*Address for Corresponding author
Bleu Gomé Michel,
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Tropical Ecology,
Department of Biodiversity and Sustainable Ecosystem Management,
Environment Training and Research Unit,
Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Ivory Coast
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Albizia glaberrima (AEAG) on the reproductive system of female adult Wistar albino rats. Material and method: Fifteen healthy adult female Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 5 animals each and given orally for 28 consecutive days distilled water (group 1), AEAG 200 mg/kg b.w (group 2), and AEAG 400 mg/kg b.w (group 3). Vaginal smears were performed daily from each rat and at the end of treatments, rats were sacrificed to collect ovary and uterus which were weighed and stored in 10% formalin for histological analysis. Results and conclusion: Results showed that AEAG induced a disturbance of the estrous cycle characterized by an augmentation of the duration of the estrous phase. Furthermore, this extract did not change the ovary wet weight while it increased significantly the relative wet weight of the uterus. These effects were corroborated by the histological architecture of these organs since the ovary of the extract-treated rats showed Graafian follicle and newly formed corpora lutea and their uterus exhibited a proliferated endometrium with large columnar epithelium cells. These data suggested that A. glaberrima exerted estrogenic effects on the female reproductive system of Wistar rats due probably to its phytoconstituents such as flavonoid, sterols, polyterpenes, and polyphenols.
Keywords: Albizia glaberrima, estrogenic effects, ovary, uterus, endometrium proliferation
