Effect of aqueous extract of Medicago sativa and Salvia officinalis mixture on hormonal,ovarian and uterine parameters in mature female mice

This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of mixture of medicago sativa (ms) and salvia officinalis (so) on the reproductive system of mature female mice. six groups of mature mice (12 each) received the aqueous extract of the plants mixture which was given orally with water supplement for two different periods (two and four weeks) and with two different doses (100 and 200 mg /kg/ day). body and reproductive system weights were recorded and vaginal smears were taken. only animals in estrus phase were anesthetized and blood samples were taken for hormonal analysis of follicle stimulating hormone (fsh),luteinizing hormone (lh) and estradiol (e2). the ovaries and uteri were dissected out,weighed and studied histologically. a significant increase in body weight in all treated groups compared to the control groups and an increase in reproductive organs weight especially in the groups received higher doses was detected. hormonal levels at the estrus phase revealed a significant increase in lh and e2,while fsh was decreased in all treated groups. the histological preparation showed a remarkable increase in number of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (cl). there was an increase in endometrial glands diameter especially in groups received the extract for long duration,while the uterine epithelial cells height increased significantly in all treated groups. it is concluded from the present results that the effects obtained may be attributed to the phytoestrogen constituents of both plants on female reproductive system.