ABSTRACT
Biochemical modulation of ovary and uterus in female albino rates fed diets supplemented with Mucuna pruriens seed powder was investigated. Thirty two (32) sexually matured female albino rats weighing between 93.1 g – 155.1 g used in the study were maintained in well-ventilated conventional cages where they were acclimatized for 10 days with water and fed ad libitum before Mucuna pruriens seed powder was introduced to their feed. The rats were divided into four groups (1, 2, 3, 4) with eight rats in each groups. Rats in group 1 were fed normal rat diet with 0.5 g of M. pruriens seed powder every day for 6 weeks. Rats in group 2 were fed normal rat diet with 1g of M. pruriens seed powder every day for 6 weeks. Rats in group 3 were fed normal rat diet with 1.5 g of M. pruriens seed powder every day for 6 weeks. Rats in group 4 were fed normal rat diet feed as they served as the control group for the experiment. At the end of the experiment period, the rats were sacrificed and ovary and uterus was collected for laboratory analysis. The seed was screened for phytochemical, L-Dopa and mineral composition using standard methods. Steroids (227.52±0.33 mg/100g) has the highest phytochemical components while saponin (0.76±0.00 mg/100g) had the lowest concentration in the Mucuna seeds. The seed contained high calorific value (1516.65±2.32 KJ/100g) and L-Dopa (3.11±0.03ng/ml). The ovarian ∆5, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Ovarian ∆5, 3β-HSD) and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activities were analysed after the period of six weeks. The histopathological section of the ovary in the rats was also examined. It revealed that rat fed with 1.0 g of Mucuna seed had the highest activity in all the four enzymes; Ovarian Δ5- 3β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and Ovarian peroxidase and Uterine peroxidase while it was low in rat fed with 1.5g of Mucuna seed. Finally, it was observed that M. pruriens seed powder did not produce any negative effect either directly or indirectly on the ovary section in female albino rats. It can therefore be concluded that Mucuna pruriens seed can be used to modulate the enzymes in the ovary and improve the structural integrity of the organs at a dose of 1.0 g.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1. Justification
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.2.1 Aim
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Mucuna pruriens
2.2 Biogeography and Habitat
2.3 Traditional Uses Mucuna pruriens
2.4 Effect of M. pruriens on Infertility
2.5 Steroid Hormones
2.6 Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
2.7 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
2.8 Uterine Peroxidase
2.9 Reproduction and Infertility
2.10 Medicinal Plants and Health Management
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Methods
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Seed Collection and Preparation
3.3 Experimental Analysis
3.4 Experimental Design
3.5 Phytochemical Screening
3.5.1 Alkaloid
3.5.2 Falvonoids
3.5.7 Terpenoids (Salkowski test)
3.7 Assay of ovarian ∆5, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase activities
3.8 Assay of Ovarian and Uterine peroxidase.
3.9 Histopathological examination of the ovary
3.10 Statistical analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Results
4.1 Phytochemical composition of the Mucuna seeds
4.2 Proximate composition and level of L-Dopa in the Mucuna seeds
4.3 Minerals and heavy metals composition of the Mucuna seeds
4.4 Activities of Ovarian Enzyme in Albino rats
4.5 Activities of Peroxidase enzymes
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Discussion and Conclusion
5.1 Discussion
5.2 Conclusion
References
Appendix