The Effect of Administration of Extract from Areca Nut Seeds (Areca Catechu L) on the Estradiol and Estrus Cycle Balb/C Female Rats

Abstract

Population control is very important for individual and national welfare. Although various synthetic contraceptive agents are available, their use is associated with severe side effects. Therefore, an approach is taken to identify new antifertility agents from natural sources. This study was conducted to determine the effect of areca nut extract on estradiol levels and the estrus cycle of female balb / c mice. The experimental animal models used were fifteen adult female balb / c mice, aged 8-12 weeks, weight 20-40 g and induced for 1 week with water extract of areca nut with a dose of 1 g / 200 g body weight of mice (K1), 2 g / 200 g of body weight of mice (K2) and distilled water in the control group (K0). The estrus cycle was identified by a daily assessment of the relative ratio of nucleated epithelial cells, cornified squamous epithelial cells and leukocytes found at the time of vaginal swabs for 15 days continuously. At the proestrus stage blood is taken from the tail. Serum estradiol levels were determined by ELISA technique. There was a decrease in serum estradiol levels in the treatment group 1 (K1) 1.9 times compared to the control group (K0) and decreased estradiol levels in the treatment group 2 (K2) 5.29 times compared to the control group (K0). Changes in the duration of the estrus cycle occurred in treatment group 1 (K1) to be elongated and treatment group 2 (K2) became non-estrus, while the control group (K0) did not change the duration of the estrus cycle (normal). The decrease in serum estradiol levels affects the estrus cycle of mice (P = 0,000). The administration of areca nut extract has the effect of reducing serum estradiol levels and disrupting the duration of the estrous cycle of female balb / c mice. This finding has important implications for the development of contraception in women.