Title:Chloroform Fraction of Drymaria cordata Linn (CFDC) Suppresses Estradiol Benzoate-
Induced Endometrial Hyperplasia
Volume: 23
Issue: 11
Author(s): Adeola Oluwakemi Olowofolahan*, Oluwatofunmi Akinjiola, John Oludele Olanlokun, Olubukola Titilope Oyebode, Oluwasanmi Olayinka Aina and Olufunso Olabode Olorunsogo
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Keywords:
Drymaria cordata, estradiol benzoate, endometrial hyperplasia, apoptosis, proliferation, therapeutic effect.
Abstract:
Background: The diagnosis of uterine dysfunction (endometrial hyperplasia) is on the rise. The available
treatment is quite expensive and associated with some side effects. The therapeutic potential of natural products is now
being explored, as they are easily available with little or no side effects. Drymaraia cordata is folklorically utilized in
the treatment of diverse ailments including uterine fibroids.
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of chloroform fraction of methanol extract of
Drymaria cordata (CFDC) in estradiol benzoate (EB)-induced endometrial hyperplasia.
Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided equally into six groups. These included control group, CFDC: (100
mg/kg), CFDC: (200 mg/kg), EB: (2 mg/kg), EB + CFDC (100 mg/kg), and EB + CFDC (200 mg/kg). Endometrial hyperplasia
(EH) was induced by intraperitoneal injection of EB. The levels of estrogen (E2), progesterone (PG), Follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and
Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined using ELISA technique. The uterine histological assessment
and immunohistochemical expression levels of estrogen receptor, Ki-67, cytochrome c, and caspase 3 were carried out.
Results: EH was severely expressed in the uterine section of EB-treated rats. However, CFDC administration improved
the pathological features of the animal model. The sex hormones levels were increased in the EB-treated group, which
were significantly reduced by CFDC. The antioxidant indices were also restored by CFDC. Immunoexpression levels
of ERα and Ki-67 were downregulated while cytochrome c and caspase 3 were upregulated by CFDC.
Conclusion: This study suggests that CFDC contains phytochemicals that can protect against EB-induced EH via
modulation of hormonal signaling, apoptotic machinery, and oxidative indices.
