Effects of ethanol extract of Ricinus Communis seed on serum Prolactin, LH and FSH levels in Metoclopramide-induced Hyperprolactinemic female albino rats.

This present study was undertaken to determine the effects of ricinus communis ethanol extract on serum prolactin and gonadotrophin levels after administering 10mg/kg (body weight) of metoclopramide in female albino rats. A total of thirty female albino rats divided into 5 groups (Groups I, II, III, IV and V) consisting of 6 rats in each group were used for the study. Group I served as Control, while II, III, IV and V served as experimental groups. The experimental groups received 10mg/kg of metoclopramide (i.v.) 4 times daily for 4 weeks. Groups III, IV and V were given respectively 200mg/kg/day, 500mg/kg/day and 900mg/kg/day of ricinus communis orally for 4 weeks. Group I received distilled water and normal rat chow. Results showed statistically significant decrease in prolactin level at P < 0.05 between Group I (13.38 ± 0.92 ng/ml), III (18.73 ± 4.78 ng/ml), IV (17.53 ± 3.33 ng/ml) and V (16.95 ± 1.20 ng/ml) compared to Group II  (44.70 ± 2.77 ng/ml). There was statistically significant increase in serum LH level between Group I (CONT) (7.07 ± 0.71 mIu/ml), Group III (7.82 ± 0.88 mIu/ml), Group IV (8.44 ± 0.53 mIu/ml) and Group V (8.88 ± 0.72 mIu/ml) at P < 0.05 compared to Group II (6.42 ± 1.14 mIu/ml) at P < 0.05. There was also statistically significant increase in serum FSH level between Group III (6.71 ± 1.46 mIu/ml), Group IV (6.84 ± 0.59 mIu/ml), and Group V (7.87 ± 0.41 mIu/ml) at P < 0.05 compared Group I (CONT) (5.20 ± 0.9 mIu/ml) compared to Group II (4.85 ± 0.70 mIu/ml). Data suggested that ricinus communis extract reduced serum prolactin levels and increased serum LH and FSH levels respectively in metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemic female rats. Keywords. ricinus communis. hyperprolactinemia. prolactin. luteinizing hormone. follicle stimulating hormone. metoclopramide.