The deleterious effect of orally administered aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana (Red Acalypha) on female reproductive organs in Sprague Dawley rats

Abstract

Acalypha wilkesiana is a herbaceous plant that has been traditionally used to treat and/or manage a variety of illnesses, including respiratory issues, diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, fever, diarrhea, and inflammation of the liver. The effects of taking Acalypha wilkesiana orally on the uterus and ovaries were examined in this study. Twenty (20) adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (165±20g) were purchased and given a two-week period to get used to the laboratory environment. Aqueous extract of Acalypha wilkesiana was given orally for four weeks at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of BW following acclimatization. Groups A-D provided as the control, low, medium, and high doses, respectively. The rats' weight gain and behavioral patterns were periodically examined. Following their euthanasia, blood was drawn via the ocular sinuses to measure hormonal parameters, and the uterus and ovaries were exercised to examine histology and oxidative stress markers. Significantly lower levels of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone were observed in the treatment groups, while significantly lower levels of SOD and CAT and higher levels of MDA were observed. In both the 40 and 80 mg/kg groups, histological sections of the ovaries and uterus revealed vascular congestion in the ovaries and moderate to severe damage within the uteri. The findings demonstrated that long-term use of Acalypha wilkesiana increased levels of oxidative stress, altered hormone levels, and negatively affected the histoarchitecture of the uterus and ovaries.