Improved Fertility Potential of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Petroselinum Crispum

Abstract

Background: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a bright green biennial plant in temperate climates and it is an annual herb in tropical and subtropical areas. Objectives: This work was aimed at evaluating the effect of the ethanolic leaf extract of parsley (P. crispum) on the histology of the ovaries and the reproductive hormone (oestrogen). Materials and Methods: A total of fifteen (15) adult female Wistar rats were used, they were divided into three groups each comprising of five rats. The groupings were as follows: Group A (Normal Control), Group B (825mg/kg per body weight of parsley leaves ethanolic extract), Group C (1,650mg/kg per body weight of parsley leaves ethanolic extract). The extract was administered through orogastric tube daily for 28 days after which the animals were sacrificed using chloroform. The ovaries were excised and processed histologically using Hematoxylin and Eosin stains and blood was collected for oestrogen hormone assay. Results: There were no signs of toxicity on body weight and there were no significant changes in the cytoarchitecture of the ovary of low dose group. However, in the high dose group, administered 1,650mg/kg bw of the extract results showed a significant increase in the oestrogen level of the animals and fatty infiltration in the ovarian cytoplasm. Conclusion: Ethanolic leaf extracts of Petroselinum crispum has the potential of improving fertility through its action on estrogen hormone levels, at high doses.