Estrogenic Effect of the Leaves from Katuk (Sauropus androgynus L. Merr) on Vaginal and Endometrial Atrophy in Perimenopausal Mice

Objective: To examine the potency of estrogenic effect of Katuk (or star gooseberry or sweet leaf) Sauropus androgynus L. Merr (Phyllanthaceae) leaf extract on the vaginal and endometrial atrophy in perimenopausal mice model. Methods: Completely random experiments divided into 4 groups with 5 female mice in each group: control group (N), perimenopause group which induced by 4-vynil cyclohexene dioxide (VCD) (P0), perimenopause group followed by S. androgynus leaves extract administration with 15 and 30 mg/kg BW (P15 and P30). The mice were induced to artificial perimenopause with 160 mg/kg body weight (BW) of VCD 5 times/week for 2 weeks and continuously treated with S. androgynus leaf extract for 30 days. Vaginal smear examination, maturation index (MI), vaginal epithelium and endometrial thickness were observed. Data were analyzed using a standard one-way ANOVA with LSD Test by SPSS 16.0 for Windows. Results: Administration of S. androgynus leaf extract for 30 days to perimenopausal mice model significantly decreased the duration of mice diestrus phase (p<0.01) compared to perimenopause mice. S. androgynus leaf extract treatment at dose 30 mg/kg BW led to higher vaginal epithelium thickness and maturation index compared to another group (p<0.01). The effective dose to enhance the vaginal epithelial and endometrial cells proliferation was 30 mg/ kg BW. Conclusions: S. androgynus leaf extract had a good estrogenic action that it might be useful for therapy of vaginal and endometrial atrophy caused by perimenopause effect.