Portulaca oleracea shows no ameliorative potential on ovariectomy-induced hormonal and estrous cycle dysregulation in normal cyclic rats: An experimental study

Okafor IA, Okafor US, Uchenna Somtochukwu Okafor, Ndukwe V, Victor Ndukwe
International journal of reproductive biomedicine · 2021 · vol. 19(10) , pp. 899–908 · doi:10.18502/ijrm.v19i10.9822 · PMID:34805730 · PMC8595911
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Methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea failed to ameliorate estrous cycle disruption and hormonal changes in ovariectomized normal cyclic rats, indicating no therapeutic potential for this model.

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This experimental study evaluated whether methanolic extract of Portulaca oleracea could ameliorate hormonal and estrous cycle dysregulation induced by bilateral ovariectomy in normal cyclic female Wistar rats. The researchers administered the plant extract to ovariectomized subjects for fourteen days and monitored reproductive parameters through vaginal smear cytology and serum analysis of hormones including FSH, LH, progesterone, and estradiol. The results demonstrated that the treatment failed to restore normal cyclicity, as phase arrest persisted across all groups, and there were no significant differences in reproductive hormone levels compared to untreated ovariectomized controls. Relevance to endometriosis: listed as one indication for GnRH antagonists, though the paper's main focus is uterine fibroids.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Portulaca oleracea (PO) is a widely known plant utilized for its medicinal attributes in the treatment of different illnesses. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of methanolic extract of PO (MEPO) on ovariectomy-induced reproductive toxicity in normal cyclic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty 10-wk-old normal cyclic rats weighing 110-200 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5/group). Group A served as the control and received distilled water only. Group B was ovariectomized without treatment, while groups C and D were ovariectomized but treated with 400 and 800 mg/kg of MEPO, respectively, for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, body weight, serum hormonal levels, and estrous cycles were monitored across the groups. RESULTS: Groups B, C, and D showed estrous cycle dysregulation and specific phase arrest when compared with the control. While a significant decrease in estradiol (p ≤ 0.001) and testosterone levels (p ≤ 0.001) were observed in groups B, C, and D, only groups C and D showed a significant increase in progesterone level when compared with the control (p ≤ 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The administration of 400 and 800 mg/kg MEPO is ineffective in ameliorating estrous cycle disruption and hormonal changes seen in ovariectomized normal cyclic adult Wistar rats.
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This study has reestablished that ovariectomy causes a significant decrease in TT and E2 and also disrupts the estrous cycle in rats. More importantly, it has given clear evidence for the lack of potential of MEPO to repair ovariectomy-induced endocrine and estrous cycle damages. According to the findings, 400 and 800 mg/kg MEPO does not play any role in maintaining the normal estrous cycle and reproductive hormonal output in the absence of the ovaries.

Coi Statement

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

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