Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Lumnitzera racemosa in an Accelerated Ovarian Failure model of Menopausal Syndrome

Abstract

Aim: This research aims to assess the therapeutic potential of L. racemosa in an Accelerated Ovarian Failure (AOF) rat model using 4-Vinyl cyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) to mimic menopausal syndrome.
Materials and Methods: Six groups of rats were used, with six rats in each group. All animals, except the control group, were administered VCD (160 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Methanolic extract of L. racemosa leaves were given orally at doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg and one group administered with standard estrogen 110µg/kg. Biochemical & Histopathological parameters were assessed at the end of the study.
Results: One-way ANOVA in Graph Pad Prism 10.3.0 was used to analyse results and presented as Mean ± SEM. LDL levels significantly decreased (***P<0.0001) in the 500 mg/kg treatment group compared to the AOF group. The AOF group showed a significant increase in proinflammatory cytokines, while the 500 mg/kg treatment group saw a significant decrease in IL-1β (***P<0.0001), IL-6 (****P<0.0001), and TNF (****P<0.0001). FSH (****P<0.0001) and LH (****P<0.0001) levels significantly increased, but progesterone levels did not (P<0.0001). By the end of the study, the 500 mg/kg treatment group showed a decline in progesterone and estrogen levels compared to all other groups. Serum phosphorus levels showed no significant change (****P<0.0001). The decline in calcium levels in the AOF group was rectified (P=0.7019) in the 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg treatment groups. Liver enzyme levels increased in the AOF group but decreased in ALP (***P<0.0001), ALT (***P<0.0001), and AST (P<0.0001) in the 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg treatment groups.
Conclusion:
L.racemosa is a mangrove plant which has wide range of secondary metabolites that are beneficial in reducing hormonal dysregulation. From all the findings we conclude that L.racemosa extract will be the good alternative for Hormonal replacement therapy. Receptor level studies are further required to establish the activity.