Effects of the Mixture of Erigeron floribundus (Asteraceae) and Tragia benthamii (Euphorbiaceae) on the Growth and Architecture of Estrogen-Sensitive Sexual Organs

Abstract

The mixture of Erigeron floribundus and Tragia benthamii (AEMEFTB) is traditionally used against pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and female sexual dysfunctions. In a recent study, we showed that the aqueous extract of the mixture of AEMEFTB suppresses the endometrium growth in rats with experimental endometriosis. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of AEMEFTB on estrogen’s sensitive sexual organs growth and architecture. Immature gonado-intact female rats were randomly distributed into 7 groups of 5 animals each and daily treated during one week with either distilled water (10 ml/kg), refined palm oil (1 ml/kg) or 17β-estradiol (1 μg/day). Plant extract groups received aqueous extract of AEMEFTB at 130 or 260 mg/kg. The remaining groups were co-administered with 17β-estradiol (1 μg) plus 130 or 260 mg/kg of the plant mixture. Moreover, thirty-five immature female rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, then left and treated as before. Five other females, considered as sham animals, orally received distilled water (10 ml/kg). The body weight of each animal was recorded daily and