<i>Cucurbita maxima</i> Seed Oil Pre-treatment Ameliorates Ovarian Oxidative Stress-mediated dysfunction Associated with Diclofenac therapy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Frequent use of diclofenac provokes oxidative stress that may compromise reproductive health. Anti-oxidants present in Cucurbita Maxima Seed Oil (CMSO) may offer therapeutic relief. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-four randomized rats were used. Group A was control. Group B received only 100mg/kg of Diclofenac sodium intraperitoneally (day 22 to 24). Groups C and D were pre-supplemented with 2ml/kg and 4ml/kg of CMSO respectively (day 1-24) before toxic dose of diclofenac at specified days. The rats were sacrificed; blood samples were used for assay of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Progesterone (PROG) and ovaries processed for H and E histology. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity was significantly (p< 0.05) increased in Diclofenac alone treated rats (group B) when compared to Control. This elevation in MDA suggests excessive lipid peroxidation. Similarly, Progesterone (PROG) level was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in Group B compared to control. Hyper secretion of Progesterone may inadvertently affect conception via negative feedback pathway by inhibiting endometrial receptivity and decidualization. It was observed that rats given high dose CMSO (Group D) showed significantly decreased MDA with a reduction in Catalase (CAT) level after scavenging reactive metabolites of diclofenac when values were compared to group B at p< 0.05. This is believed to be due antioxidants and poly saturated fatty acid content in CMSO which preserves ovarian cellular membrane from free radical attack by inhibiting spontaneous cell membrane depolarization and minimizing amount of drug reactive metabolite reaching ovarian tissue by nourishing endothelial membrane barrier. Group B rats showed degeneration in corpus luteum (CL), compared to control and high dose CMSO pre-treated rats. CONCLUSION: CMSO is of therapeutic benefit against diclofenac-induced ovarian dysfunction.