EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TURMERIC ON ESTROGEN INDUCED HISTOLOGIC TOXICITY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND AND UTERUS OF ADULT FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Anyanebechi Chidimma Linda*, Asomugha Azuoma Lasbery and Eze Chinyere Elizabeth

ABSTRACT

Estrogen is the most commonly prescribed drug for oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy in women. Over the years, health hazards potentiated by some toxins have been abated using plant species, one of which is Turmeric. This study was conducted to examine the effect of turmeric against mammary gland and uterine toxicity induced by estrogen in adult female wistar rats. 35 female wistar rats weighing between 140g to 155g were assigned into seven groups of five rats each after a period of two weeks of acclimatization; the first group served as the control group, group 2 received estrogen 500ug/kg body weight only for six weeks, group 3 received estrogen 500ug/kg body weight with turmeric 150mg/kg body weight concurrently for six weeks, group 4 received estrogen 500ug/kg body weight and turmeric at 250mg/kg body weight concurrently for six weeks, group 5 received 350mg/kg body weight of turmeric only for six weeks while groups 6 and 7 were pre-treated with 150mg/kg body weight and 250mg/kg of turmeric body weight respectively for two weeks after which they were given 500ug/kg body weight of estrogen for six weeks. All the administrations were given orally once daily. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed through chloroform inhalation. The mammary gland and uterine tissues were then harvested for histological examination. The histopathological sections of the mammary gland showed ductal epitheliosis and stromal infiltrates of inflammatory cells in the group treated with estrogen alone. But, the pre- and co-administration of turmeric retained the normal ductal epithelial status with the pre-treatment having a better effect. Estrogen also caused a proliferation of the glandular epithelium, increase in the population of stromal cells and thickened endometrial lining of the uterus. The administration of turmeric inhibited these effects in the uterus in a dose dependent manner. As it has been observed in this study, turmeric has the potential to inhibit histologic toxicity induced by estrogen on the mammary gland and the uterus of adult female wistar rats.

Keywords: Estrogen, Turmeric, Mammary gland, Uterus, Histology.