Abstract

Hyperprolactinemia is a major cause of infertility, and herbal remedies have been employed locally for treatment. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of a poly herbal mixture consisting of Bambusa vulgaris, Momordica charantia, Rauwolfia vomitoria, Ficus sur, and Clerodendrum capitatum on the reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters of haloperidol-induced hyperprolactinemic rats. Forty two female albino rats were divided into 7 groups of 6 in each group. Groups 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were given increasing doses (2, 3 and 4 mg/kg body weight in five-daily increments) of haldol by intramuscular injection for 15 days after which they were treated for another 15 days with either 2.5 mg/kg body weight of bromocriptine (group 4 only) or 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract (groups 5, 6 and 7, respectively). Group 1 was given distilled water only while group 3 was given 25 mg/kg body weight extract only. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed and blood was taken from each group for plasma analysis of the reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters. Prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and estrogen were assayed. The fasting blood glucose, total protein and the lipid profile (total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol) were also determined. The result showed a dose-dependent significant reduction in the prolactin level by the extract with increase in the levels of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), lieutenizing hormone (LH) and estrogen. There was also a decrease in the levels of the triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol while HDL was increased. In conclusion, the polyherbal preparation was able to reverse the hyperprolactinemia with its associated endocrine and metabolic changes in a manner comparable to that of bromocriptine.

Key words: Hyperprolactinemia, haldol, polyherbal decoction, reproductive hormones, metabolic indices.