Effects of Cucumis sativus Extract on the Histomorphology of the Ovaries and Hormonal Profile of Adult Female Wistar Rats

Background: Drugs of plant origin have served through the ages as the mainstay in treating diseases and preserving human health. The cucumber is one of the plants that have nutritional values.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cucumis sativus extract on the ovaries and sex hormones of adult female Wistar rats.

Study Design and Methodology: Sixteen Wistar rats weighing 180-200g were divided into four groups (A-D) of four animals each. Group A (control) received only distilled water and feed, Group B received 250 mg/kg body weight of cucumber fruit extract, Group C received 400 mg/kg body weight of cucumber fruit extract, and Group D received 1200 mg/kg body weight of cucumber fruit extract. All the treatments were given orally daily for twenty-one days. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and dissected; the ovaries were harvested and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies, while blood was collected for hormonal analysis.

Results: There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the FSH level of group B only when compared to the control groups while a non-significant decrease in the estradiol level in all the treatment groups compared to the control. Histopathological studies show little distortion in the histomorphology of the ovaries in groups C and D.

Conclusion: Cucumis sativus extract, when consumed in large amount, has deleterious effects on the female reproductive system.