EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT KIGELIA AFRICANA LEAF ON LIVER OXIDATIVE STRESS BIOMARKERS FOLLOWING LETROZOLE INDUCED POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects 10% of reproductive-aged women and leads to hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and infertility. PCOS has been associated with elevated serum homocysteine as well as altered methylation status; however, characterization of one-carbon metabolism (OCM) in PCOS remains incomplete. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with oxidative stress, which may compromise liver function. This study investigated the effects of ethanol extract of Kigelia africana leaf on hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers in letrozole-induced PCOS in female rats.Thirty female wistar rats were acclimatized for seven days in a well ventilated room and fed with normal animal feed (rat chow). Good hygiene practices were maintained by daily cleaning and removal of feces and spills,following standard animal handling protocol. Using clomiphene citrate as a positive control. PCOS was induced by oral letrozole (1 mg/kg) for 21 days, followed by treatment with clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg) or K. africana extract at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were assayed in liver homogenates Letrozole administration significantly increased MDA levels and altered SOD and CAT activities compared to normal controls. Treatment with K. africana extract significantly reduced MDA, SOD, and CAT activities in a dose-dependent manner, with the 400 mg/kg dose producing effects comparable to clomiphene. These findings suggest that K. africana leaf extract may ameliorate hepatic oxidative stress in PCOS, potentially through attenuation of lipid peroxidation and modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity. The involvement of antioxidants in the management of polycystic ovarian syndrome may be helpful as secondary therapy to prevent oxidative damage and may be used as a potential approach to overcome metabolic as well as reproductive disorders associated with infertility in polycystic ovarian syndrome.