Effects of an herbal formulation on lead acetate-induced hormonal imbalance in female albino rats

Hormonal imbalance is a situation in which there is too little or too much of one or many hormones in the body, and this has negative effect on certain physiological processes including reproduction. Aim: This study evaluated the effects of an herbal formulation on lead acetate-induced hormonal imbalance in female albino rats Methodology: The herbal formulation was prepared by mixing 5 g each of bay leaf, scent leaf, clove and cheese wood, and making an aqueous extract using the mixture. Thirty-five (35) female albino rats were used for this study. They were grouped into 5 groups of 7 rats each as follows: group 1(negative control), group 2(positive control), Group 3 (treated with 500 mg/kg of herbal formulation as low dose), Group 4 (treated with 1000 mg/kg of herbal formulation as high dose), Group 5 (treated with 81 mg/kg of Vitamin E as standard drug). Rats in groups 2-5 were induced with hormonal imbalance using 60 mg/kg. Groups 3-5 were treated as indicated for 28 days. Results: The mean hormonal levels in the rats in the treated groups were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the levels in the positive control group. However, the mean hormonal levels in the treated groups, were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the mean levels in the negative control group, except for testosterone levels in the Vitamin E group. The LH/FSH ratios were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the negative control group, compared to the other groups. Testosterone/estradiol ratio was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the negative control group, compared to the other groups, except the vitamin E administered group. The progesterone/estradiol ratio was significantly raised (P<0.05) in the positive control group compared to the other groups. The liver enzymes were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the groups treated with the herbal formulation and vitamin E, compared with the levels in the positive and negative control groups Conclusion: These finding indicate that the herbal formulation and vitamin E exhibited beneficial effects in restoring hormone levels and attenuating inflammation. Therefore, the herbal formulation can be considered to possess ameliorative potential in hormonal imbalance.