The role of rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract (100mg/kg) on male and female albino wistar rats on the release of lutenizing hormones, progestrone and testosterone

Project Abstract

The abstract section of the research content is as follows Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract has been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes due to its potential therapeutic properties. This study aimed to investigate the role of Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract (100mg/kg) on male and female albino Wistar rats in relation to the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and testosterone. Male and female rats were divided into control and experimental groups, with the experimental groups receiving the extract orally for a specified duration. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of LH, progesterone, and testosterone using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The results showed that the administration of Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract led to significant changes in the levels of LH, progesterone, and testosterone in both male and female rats compared to the control groups. In male rats, the extract led to a significant increase in testosterone levels, while progesterone levels remained relatively unchanged. In female rats, the extract resulted in a significant decrease in progesterone levels, while LH levels showed a notable increase. These findings suggest that Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract at a dose of 100mg/kg can influence the release of LH, progesterone, and testosterone in both male and female rats. The extract appears to have a gender-specific effect on hormone levels, with testosterone levels increasing in males and progesterone levels decreasing in females. The observed changes in hormone levels indicate potential implications for reproductive physiology and overall hormonal balance. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract exerts its effects on hormone regulation. Understanding the specific pathways involved in mediating these hormonal changes could provide valuable insights for the development of novel therapeutic interventions targeting hormonal imbalances. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the pharmacological effects of Rauwolfia vomitoria root-bark extract and its potential applications in hormonal modulation.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><b>INTRODUCTION</b></p><p><b>1.1<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; BACKGROUND OF STUDY</b></p><p>Plants<br>have been considered as sources of medicinal agents, as it offers natural<br>products useful for human health. Since the existence of human life on the<br>planet earth, plants have been the source of food, clothing, shelter, fiber,<br>fuel and medicine. Since time immemorial plants are the principle raw materials<br>of traditional medicinal system that has been practiced and continue to provide<br>mankind with novel therapies (Cragg and Newmann, 2005). One of such medicinal<br>plsntis is <i>Rauwolfia Vomitoria</i>&nbsp;whose<br>discovery was accredited to the 16th century German Physician, Leonart<br>Rauwolf. <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria </i>is<br>a plant species that of the genus Rauvolfia. It is also called the “poison<br>devils pepper”. <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria contains</i><br>a large number of indole alkaloids, the root bark contains reserpiline as a<br>major component, followed by reserpine, reserpinine and ajmaline. Root products<br>of <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria </i>have been<br>found to be potent in treatment hypertension, as a sedative to calm epilepsy<br>and psychotic or mental illness. They are also used to wash Children with Colic<br>or fever as well as for skin problems such as rash, pimples, etc. (Schmelzer,<br>2007). It adverse effect include: decreased heart rate and blood pressure,<br>which is due to dilation of blood vessels. It also causes low sex drive<br>increase appetite, weight loss and stomach upset.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sex<br>hormones are natural substances produced by the body that helps relay messages<br>between cells and organs and affect development of sexual organs and other<br>secondary sexual characteristics. Estrogen and progesterone are the two main<br>female sex hormones. Although testosterone is considered as a male hormones<br>females also produce and use a small amount of it too.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Estrogen<br>is the major female hormones. The major amount of the estrogen is produced by<br>the ovaries but small amounts are produced in the adrenal glands and fat cells.<br>During pregnancy, the placenta also makes estrogen. Estrogen plays a big role<br>in reproduction and sexual development, including puberty, menstruation,<br>pregnancy and menopause.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The<br>ovaries also produces the progesterone after ovulation and during pregnancy, the<br>placenta also produces some. Progesterone plays a role in preparing the lining<br>of the uterus for a fertilized egg, supporting pregnancy and suppressing of<br>estrogen production after ovulation.</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Testosterone<br>is a male sex hormone that is important for sexual and reproductive<br>development. It is responsible for development of male sex organs before birth<br>as well as development of other secondary characteristics.</p><p><b>1.2 &nbsp; &nbsp; STATEMENT<br>OF THE PROBLEM</b></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Alkaloids<br>have been reported to show varying effects on the serum hormone levels. <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria </i>has a vast<br>composition of alkaloids and is potent in treatment and management of various<br>ailments. However, there is not enough information as to the effect of <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria</i>&nbsp;root bark<br>extract on the levels of sex hormones.</p><p><b>1.3 &nbsp; &nbsp; AIM<br>AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>The<br>aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria </i>root bark extract on male and female sex<br>hormones.</p><p><b>1.4 &nbsp; &nbsp; SIGNIFICANCE<br>OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>The<br>result from this study will add more knowledge to our existing biomedical and<br>pharmacological potentials of <i>Rauwolfia<br>vomitoria</i>&nbsp;and this may help open up new avenues of investigation for<br>researchers.</p><p><b>1.5 &nbsp; &nbsp; JUSTIFICATION<br>OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>Medicinal<br>plants have received a great deal of attention due to their possible beneficial<br>as well as adverse effects. Some of these plants are known to possess anti-<br>fertility effect through their action on hypothlamo-pituitary-gonadal axis or<br>direct hormonal effects on reproductive organs resulting in inhibition of ovarian<br>steroidogenesis. Sex hormones are natural substances produced by the body that<br>helps relay messages between cells and organs and affect development of sexual<br>organs and other secondary sexual characteristics. Alteration in the levels of<br>these sex hormones may lead to infertilty, abortion, abnormal development of<br>sexual characteristics and sexual organs in male, hence the need for use of<br>medicinal plants as a means of regulating hormonal levels by way of increasing<br>or decreasing it.</p><p><b>1.6 &nbsp; &nbsp; SCOPE<br>OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>The<br>scope of the study includes:</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>I. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Collection<br>of plant</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>II. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Identification<br>of plants</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>III. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Extraction<br>of plants</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>IV. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Administration<br>of ethanol extract of <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria</i><br>to male and female albino Wistar rats depending on body weigh</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>V. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Serum<br>separation by centrifugation</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>VI. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>Analysis<br>of the result</p> <br><p></p>