Antifibroid and High-performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) Leaves

Background: Globally, women’s reproductive health is endangered due to fibroids, benign tumors that develop from the uterine smooth muscle cells. Women are increasingly turning to herbal remedies to treat uterine fibroids due to the disadvantages of conventional therapies. Among these plants, the leaves of Azadirachta indica are particularly noteworthy. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antifibroid potential of the ethanol leaf extract of A. indica (Meliaceae) in Wistar rats. Methods: Rats were administered monosodium glutamate (MSG) daily for 30 days to induce the formation of spindle-shaped fibers characteristic of fibroids. The extract was administered in graded doses to a second group as a prophylactic measure concurrently with MSG (preventive approach). In the curative approach, MSG was administered for 30 days to induce fibroid cell formation, following which the extract was administered. Total cholesterol, protein, estrogen, and progesterone levels were measured using biochemical analysis of blood serum. Uterine histopathological examination was performed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify the bioactive components of the plant. Results: MSG elevated serum cholesterol (P≤0.05), progesterone (P≤0.001), and estradiol levels in rats. Extract administration inhibited the rise in these parameters, both in the preventive and curative experiments. Histopathology assessment of the rat uterus treated with the extract revealed a reduction in fibroid cells at the 80 mg/kg dose. HPLC analysis identified β-caryophyllin, azadirachnol, azadirachta-A, and quercetin as the major phenolic compounds in the extract. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the antifibroid potential of A. indica leaves which merits further research.