Antifibrotic potential of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut) leaves extract on diethylstilbestrol-induced rat model of uterine fibroid

Background: The increased prevalence of uterine fibroid (UF) and its life-threatening impact among women of reproductive age led to the development of this study. The study investigated the antifibrotic potential of Tetracarpidium conophorum aqueous extract on UF-induced rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four female Wistar rats, with an average weight of 200 g, were used for the study. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups of eight animals each. UF was induced by oral administration of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and intramuscular injection of progesterone at dosages 1.35 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Group 1 was administered normal saline orally for 8 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with progesterone and a combination of DES and progesterone, respectively. Groups 4 and 5 were pretreated with 200 and 400 mg/kg T. conophorum extract, respectively, for 3 weeks before the administration of DES and progesterone for 5 weeks. Groups 6 and 7 were administered DES and progesterone for 5 weeks before being treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg T. conophorum extract, respectively, for 3 weeks. Group 8 was the self-recovery group-administered DES and progesterone for 5 weeks after which they were given normal saline orally for 3 weeks. Results: After the treatment period, the rats were euthanized, and blood was collected, while the uteruses were harvested. Co-administration of DES and progesterone produces UF conditions. However, pre- and post-treatment with 200 mg/kg of extract mitigated the effects that were induced by DES and progesterone, but no remarkable preventive and curative effects were observed with the higher dosage (400 mg/kg). There were a reduction of the serum prolactin level in the treatment groups and an increased serum progesterone level in the posttreatment group. Conclusion: The study has shown that T. conophorum has both preventive and curative effects on UF at low dosage (200 mg/kg).