Biochemical and hormonal studies of metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic female rats administered ethanol Leaf Extract of Kigelia africana

To study the biochemical and hormonal parameters in metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic female Wistar rats administered ethanol leaf extract of Kigelia africana . Thirty (30) female Wistar rats were grouped into two major parts: (i) normal control ( n = 5) and (ii) experimental ( n = 25) to induce hyperprolactinemia. The experimental group was divided into five groups of five animals each, given a total of six in all. Group 1 received the distilled water alone, group 2 was metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic rats only, group 3 comprised metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic rats administered bromocriptine (2.5 mg Kg –1 b.wt.), and groups 4–6 were metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic rats administered 100, 200, and 400 mg Kg –1 K. africana ethanol extract, respectively. After treatments, biochemical and hormonal parameters were determined. Prolactin level increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in the experimental groups and reduced following administration of various concentrations of K . africana extract (100, 200, and 400 mg Kg –1 b.wt.) and bromocriptine than the normal control and hyperprolactinemic control groups. Significant increase ( P < 0.05) in progesterone, luteinizing hormone follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol serum levels were observed at 400 mg Kg –1 b.wt. of the extract as against the normal control. Similarly, bromocriptine (2.5 mg Kg –1 b.wt.) produced the same effect. Non-significant increase ( P > 0.05) of cholesterol and protein uteri levels were obtained in experimental rats treated with K . africana extract in comparison with the normal control and hyperprolactinemia control. In conclusion, ethanol extract of the plant can ameliorate hyperprolactinemia in rats and could improve some fertility hormones through its stimulatory effect on the gonads.