EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ETHIOPIAN PEPPER (Xylopia aethiopica DUNAL A. RICH) ON REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES, REDOX AND TOXICOLOGICAL INDICES OF FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Several reports have demonstrated that Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) is being widely used in folkloric medicine, especially by women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. However, the scientific basis for its tradomedical use in maternal health is yet to be fully clarified. To fill this gap in knowledge, this study investigated the effect of ethanolic extract of Xylopia aethiopica on the reproductive hormones, redox and toxicological indices in female wistar rats. Specifically, it was carried out to screen and quantitatively determine the phytochemical constituents of aqueous, acetone and ethanolic extracts of Xylopia aethiopica whole fruit and pericarp; to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extracts of Xylopia aethiopica whole fruit and pericarp on the lipid profile and haematological parameters of female Wistar rats; to determine the antioxidant properties and toxicological effects of the whole fruit and pericarp extracts of Xylopia aethiopica in female Wistar rats; and to evaluate the effect of the ethanolic extracts of whole fruit and pericarp on the reproductive hormones and ovary of female Wistar rats. Different doses of the ethanolic extracts were administered to female Wistar rats for 14 days and the renal and hepatic toxicological markers, lipid profile, and haematological indices were assessed. Furthermore, the effect of the different doses of the ethanolic extracts on pregnant Wistar rats were assessed during prenatal and postnatal periods by evaluating the levels of prolactin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. The results showed that X. aethiopica contains cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, trypsin inhibitors, tannins, terpenes, phytate, oxalate, saponin, and steroids and a high level of polyphenolic compounds. The ethanolic extract exhibited highest radical scavenging ability and in vitro inhibitory effect on Iron-induced lipid peroxidation, when compared with the aqueous and acetone extracts. The ethanolic extracts also caused reduced atherogenic parameters with ameliorative potentials against dyslipidemic manifestations as typified by decreased concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol, and increased concentration of HDL-cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, X. aethiopica enhanced the level of prolactin but reduced the levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and progesterone. The histopathological examinations of the liver, kidney, and ovary showed no visible lesions. The study concludes that Xylopia aethiopica is predictably safe for consumption (having LD50 values which is above 5000 mg/Kg bwt) and it has a good number of health benefits such as: a high concentration of polyphenols, an antioxidant potentials, a radical scavenging effect, and ability to reduce atherogenic parameters. However, its ability to reduce the levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and progesterone while increasing prolactin can make its consumer susceptible to hormone-related reproductive health challenges. Thus, care must be taken in its consumption