ANTI FIBROID

Uterine leiomyoma commonly termed uterine fibroid, a benign smooth muscle neoplasm, constitutes a significant reproductive threat in women worldwide. It is a benign monoclonal tumor of the smooth muscle cells found in the uterus. Tetrapleura tetraptera pod has various ethnomedicinal properties which are used against different diseases and ailments which may include convulsion, leprosy, inflammation and rheumatic pains. This research work was carried out to determine preventive effects on fibroid activity of the ethanol extract of T. tetraptera pods using female wistar rats as test subject. The anti-fibroid activity of the plant was ascertained by inducing fibroids in female wistar rats using 800mg/kg concentration of Monosodium glutamate and concomitant administration of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg of plant extract. Hormonal assays and histopathology investigations were
then carried out after a 30-day period. The plant extract showed anti-fibroid activity by reducing major markers for fibroid development including cholesterol, total protein and estradiol levels. The histology results also displayed the plant’s ability to prevent fibroid growth as MSG resulted in endometrial epithelium distortion and lamina propria fibrosis with plant extract ameliorating the distortion observed in the uterus. This study establishes the ability of T. tetraptera pods to preventing MSG-induced uterine
leiomyoma.