Effect of Crude Methanol Extract of Heliotropium indicum on Certain Biochemical Parameters in Rats with Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Fibroids

Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroids or uterine leiomyoma are the commonest non-cancerous tumor affecting mostly women of age between 30-45 years. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries cause the regeneration of the uterine lining which may stimulate the growth of fibroids. It has been established that monosodium glutamate (MSG) (a commonly used food seasoning) induces fibroids by increasing the levels of cholesterol, estradiol and total protein. Heliotropium indicum has been indicated in folkloric medicine to be anti-tumoric. The effect of crude Methanol Extract of Heliotropium indicum (MEHI) on some biochemical parameters in MSG-induced fibroid was studied. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five female Wistar rats were divided into five study groups; A(Control), B(MEHI – 50mg/kg bdwt), C(MSG – 50mg/kg bdwt), D(MSG - 50mg/kg bdwt + MEHI - 50mg/kg bdwt) and E(MSG - 50mg/kg bdwt + MEHI - 100mg/kg bdwt). The administration was carried out through intraperitoneal injection for 10days. The animals were fasted for 24hours before sacrifice after which the blood was collected into appropriate sample bottles. The levels of progesterone, estradiol, cholesterol, liver enzymes, antioxidant and hematological parameters were estimated using standard procedures. Results: The results showed that the MEHI has an ameliorative effect on MSG-induced fibroid as seen in its ability to reduce elevated levels of cholesterol, progesterone and estradiol. Also the extract elevated the levels of liver enzymes and antioxidants. Although there was insignificant decrease in the levels of antioxidants, this might be because the extract competes with the antioxidants for active site. Also, the plant extract improved packed cell volume and thus, elicits its ability as co-treatment for anaemia. Lesions at histopathology of uterus exposed to MSG alone revealed striking lesions ranging from moderate diffuse cellular infiltrates and hyperplastic endometrial glands in uterine mucosa to degenerate and necrotizing endometrial mucosa with atrophy of glands, while the ovaries exhibited lesions ranging from obliteration of ovarian follicles to attenuation of germinal epithelium (diffuse oophoritis). On the other hand the inclusion of MEHI in MSG- fibroid induced rat led to acute endometritis, moderate diffuse endometritis and glandular hyperplasia (uterus), while lesions in the ovaries ranged slightly from follicular atresia, atrophy of the gonads to normal ovaries in a dose dependent manner.Conclusion: These findings showed that the plant extract can be used for the treatment of uterine fibroid and its use could lead to improved packed cell volume of the patient, antioxidants activities and regulation of female reproductive hormones. Also, MSG has high fibroid generation tendencies which could lead to destruction of ovaries and uterus when consumed incessantly, while MEHI, showed a great potential in ameliorating the effect of MSG on ovaries and uterus, hence, MEHI is ovariohysteric protective.

Keywords: Uterine Fibroids, MSG, Heliotropiumindicum, PCV, Antioxidant