Ameliorative Potentials of Methanol Extract and Chloroform Fraction of Drymaria cordata on MSG-induced Uterine Hyperplasia in Female Wistar Rats

Aim: Uterine fibromyomas are non-cancerous or benign growth of the uterus. They are sensitive to changes in levels of oestrogen and progesterone which affect the size of the fibroid. It has been well established that glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid induces uterine fibroid in rat by increasing the levels of estradiol. Drymaria cordata is used traditionally for the shrinkage and destruction of uterine fibroid. The biochemical basis of this effect is unknown.

Methodology: The effect of the crude Methanol Extract (MEDC) and Chloroform Fraction (CFDC) of the methanol extract of Drymaria cordata on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)-induced hyperplasia in female wistar rats were investigated. Thirty six mature virgin female rats were randomly divided into six study groups; A(Control), B(MEDC (200 mg/kgbdwt)), C(CFDC (100 mg/kgbdwt)), D(MSG (200 mg/kgbdwt)), E (MSG + MEDC) and F( MSG + CFDC). The administration was carried out as a single daily dose by oral galvage for 28 days. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs after the final exposure. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture into EDTA-sterilized sample bottles. Total estradiol (estrogen), progesterone and cholesterol were determined according to standard procedures. The uteruses were harvested and subjected to histological examination.

Results: The results showed that co administration of both MEDC and CFDC reversed MSG-induced uterine hyperplasia observed in the myometrium of the uteruses of the animals with CFDC having higher effect. In addition, the increase in levels of total progesterone, cholesterol and estrogen in the MSG-treated animals were ameliorated by both MEDC and CFDC.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that MEDC and CFDC have the ability to prevent and reverse the development of fibroids. This shows that certain bioactive components present in the extract and fraction may prove useful in the treatment of uterine fibromyomas.