Abstract

The fruit of Phoenix dactylifera has high nutritional value, possess several health benefits and used as traditional medicine in treating diverse ailments. The present study evaluates the effect of total flavonoid fraction and hydroalcoholic extract of dried fruits of Phoenix dactylifera on postmenopausal complications in ovotoxic female rats. 4-vinyl cyclohexene diepoxide, 80 mg/kg i.p. was injected for 15 d to induce menopause in young female rats. Menopausal rats were treated with suitably prepared total flavonoid fraction and hydroalcoholic extract of Phoenix dactylifera for 45 d. Vaginal smears were prepared and animals were evaluated for hormonal and biochemical parameters, serum mineral content, osteocalcin level and oxidative stress. Histopathology of ovaries was performed. Treatment of postmenopausal rats with total flavonoid fraction (200 mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) of Phoenix dactylifera caused significant improvement (p< 0.001) in serum follicle-stimulating hormone level, luteinizing hormone levels and lipid profile with mild effect on serum estrogen level and vaginal smear pattern. The treatment normalized serum Troponin T (0.98±0.03 µg/ml, 1.35±0.05 µg/ml) and creatine kinase-MB (134.4±1.50, 164.0±0.07 IU/l) and significantly improved serum mineral content and osteocalcin level. Significant reduction (p<0.001) was observed in the level of oxidative stress in ovotoxic animals after the treatment period. Histopathological studies indicated protection of ovarian follicles in ovotoxic rats after the treatment period. Results concluded that dried fruit of Phoenix dactylifera has the potential to prevent postmenopausal complications and therefore could be used as hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.