Hormonal and Morphological Effects of Averrhoea carambola Fruit Extract on Female Reproduction
Ifedi I. Charles *
of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Nigeria.
Emeka Ugwuishi
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Enugu State University College of Medicine, Parklane, Nigeria.
Ifedi O. Blessing
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Nigeria.
Nwafor C. Charles
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Enugu State University College of Medicine, Parklane, Nigeria.
Okeke C. Jennifer
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Nigeria.
Okoye O. Fidelis
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Nigeria.
Ihezuruoha S. Chinyere
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Medical herbs are dazzling resources that influences female fertility. The effect of Averrhoa carambola ethanolic fruit extract on gonadal function and structure in female Wistar rats was investigated in the study. 15 Wistar rats weighing 100 to 143g were divided into three groups of five rats each. Food and distilled water were given to Group A, 500 mg/kg of ethanolic fruit extract of A. carambola was given to Group B, and 1000 mg/kg of ethanolic fruit extract of A. carambola was given to Group C every day for 21 days through oral garvage. The animals were anesthetized with chloroform at the end of the experiment, and serum was taken for hormone testing. When compared to the control, there was a significant (p<0.05) weight gain in the test groups. In addition, there was a substantial rise in ovarian and uterine weight in groups B and C after receiving the Averrhoa carambola fruit extract compared to the control group. However, when compared to the control group, LH increased (p>0.0) while progesterone declined significantly. According to the findings, the extract's structural effects on the gonads of female rats were shown to be adverse. In conclusion, Averrhoa carambola fruit extract may be more beneficial as a contraceptive than a pro-fertility agent, as traditional medicine practitioners claim.
Keywords: Averrhoa carambola, hormonal, morphological, reproduction