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Sub-chronic effects of mefenamic acid alone or in combination with diclofenac on the female reproductive system in albino rats

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Abstract

Objective

Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used, the long-term effects of prostaglandin inhibition on reproduction are unknown. The current study was designed to assess the effects of sub-chronic low and high mefenamic acid (MA) dosages alone or in combination with diclofenac sodium (DS) on rat reproductive functioning.

Methods

Twenty-four female rats were separated into four groups of six animals each. The first group received distilled water as a control, the second MA (10 mg/kg. B.W), the third MA (20 mg/kg. B.W), and the fourth received a combination of diclofenac sodium (1 mg/kg) and mefenamic acid (10 mg/kg) orally for 35 days. Blood was drawn for hormonal, biochemical, and hematological tests. The ovaries were surgically removed and examined.

Results

MA alone in low and high doses did not exhibit a significant change in LH, FSH, prolactin, and glutathione, but it did show an increase in progesterone and a decrease in PGE2 and estrogen compared to the control group. In contrast, the combination group demonstrated a significant increase in FSH, LH, and progesterone, as well as a decrease in PGE2, estrogen, and prolactin. In addition, MA alone or combined with DS causes ovarian histopathology abnormalities as compared to the control group. The hematological parameters RBC, HGB, and platelet count were lowered, but there was no change in total WBC.

Conclusion

Sub-chronic administration of low or high pharmacological dosages of MA has been shown to have a deleterious effect on the female reproductive system in rats, as evidenced by hormonal, biochemical, and histological alterations. Furthermore, our data demonstrated significant alterations in hematological parameters, particularly with the usage of combination NSAIDs.

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Acknowledgements

The presented study was abstracted from M.Sc. thesis submitted to the College of Pharmacy, Basrah University/Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Authors thank the college for continuous support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Health, Maysan Health Department, Baby and Maternity Hospital, Maysan, Iraq

    Bedoor A. Salim

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Basrah University, Basrah, Iraq

    Muhsin S. G. AL-Moziel & Ausama Ayob Jaccob

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  1. Bedoor A. Salim
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Correspondence to Ausama Ayob Jaccob.

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Bedoor A. Salim, Muhsin S. G. AL-Moziel, and Ausama Ayob Jaccob declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Animal experiments were performed in accordance with the guidelines established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Permission for these experiments was obtained by the Animal Ethics Committee of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Basra in October 2021, 3/5/293.

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Salim, B.A., AL-Moziel, M.S.G. & Jaccob, A.A. Sub-chronic effects of mefenamic acid alone or in combination with diclofenac on the female reproductive system in albino rats. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 14, 319–326 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-022-00145-6

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