Estrogenic Effects of Extracts from Flowers and Leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers have been shown to possess antifertility and abortifacient activity. The aqueous extract also exhibited antiestrogenic activity, as judged by increase in uterine weight. This study determined estrogenic effects of aqueous extract and ethanol extracts (45% ethanol extract for leaves and 70% ethanol extract for flowers) of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis on naïve mice and ovariectomized mice. The phase of the estrus cycle was determined by early vaginal opening in immature mice and by vaginal smear cytology. The weight of reproductive organs and plasma 17β-estradiol content were also determined. The results revealed that aqueous extracts from flowers or leaves and 70% ethanol extract from flowers induced estrogenic effects in immature mice and ovariectomized mice more significant than in naïve mature mice. The 45% ethanol extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves did not show any estrogenic effect. The plasma 17β-estradiol contents in ovariectomized mice after administration of the extracts of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers or leaves slightly increased as compared to untreated control but the differences were not significant. The findings suggested that the aqueous extract and ethanol extracts of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers or leaves have atypical estrogenic effect.

Keywords: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves, estrogenic effect, ovariectomized mice, 17β-estradiol content.

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