ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at investigating the reproductive toxicological effect of methanol seeds extract of Acacia nilotica in female Wistar rats.  Plant samples were collected and prepared into extract, using maceration technique. Twenty-four female Wistar rats weighing (200-250 g) were grouped into; control group, and graded doses of the extract (A. nilotica methanol seeds extract) at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. The doses were orally administered to the animals daily for a period of 28 days. Biochemical (cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)), hormonal level (oestrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone), and histopathological changes of female sex organs (ovary and uterus)were evaluated. The results showed a significant increased (p<0.05) in the body and organ weights showed slight decrease in the organ weight when compared with the control. A significant decreased in oestrogen level (p>0.05) with slight increase in LH, FSH, progesterone, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL across the test doses when linked with the control (p<0.05). The histological studies showed a considerable improvement in the ovary and uterus of the treatment groups when compared with the control. These findings validated the plant safety with its folkloric report, thereby required further biological investigation to authenticate its claim.