Methanol leaf extract of Abelmoschus caillei increased the serum levels of some hormones involved in follicule maturation in female Wister rats

There are ethnobotanical claims that the plant Abelmoschus caillei A.Chev. (Malvaceae) is beneficial for child bearing and in child labour. In fact, the inhabitants of Igboora town, South-West Nigeria claim the consumption of the leaf plays a role in the high incidences of multiple births experienced in the area. The study evaluated the effects of the methanol leaf extract of Abelmoschus caillei (MLAC) on some reproductive hormones involved in the maturation of graffian follicles of female wistar rats. The young leaves of authenticated Abelmoschus caillei plant were collected, air-dried, powdered and extracted with methanol. The extract (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) was evaluated for its effects on the serum concentrations of oestradiol, lutenising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Clomiphene citrate was administered as standard drug. The analysis of the result showed that serum concentrations of the three hormones were significantly (P < 0.05) higher at the administered doses compared with the negative control (distilled water) except at 25 mg/kg. The study concluded that Abelmoschus caillei A.Chev. (Malvaceae) significantly increased the serum conceentrations of LH, FSH and Oestradiol in female wistar rats and probably plays a role in the high incidences of multiple births observed in Igboora town in Nigeria.