RESUMEN
Background: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids), a menace of the reproductive age, is characterized byproliferation of smooth muscle cells (hyperplasia) of the uterus. Alpha Stone Decoction is a poly-herbalformulation that is used for the shrinkage and prevention of uterine fibroids in folkore medicine.Objective: We investigated the efficacy and safety of Alpha Stone Decoction (ASD), on monosodiumglutamate (MSG) induced uterine hyperplasia.Materials and methods: Twenty-eight mature virgin female rats were randomly divided into four studygroups: A-control B- MSG (200 mg/kgbw), C- MSG þ ASD (100 mg/kgbw) and D- ASD 100 mg/kgbwalone. The administration was carried out by as a single daily dose via intraperitoneal route for 14 days.Total protein, triglycerides, estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, and total cholesterol levels in sera weredetermined using appropriate kits. Uterine hyperplasia was assessed via histomorphometric methodusing the mitotic image plus software to compute the fibroblast cell count density while the uteri andovaries of animals were stained with mason-tricon stain for histological examination.Results: Administration of MSG for 14 days resulted heavy deposits of collagen connective tissue withinthe myometrium layers of the uteri. ASD significantly (p < 0.05) reduced fibroblast cell count inMSG-treated animals and also protected against MSG-induced damage observed in the myometrium ofthe uteri and ovaries of the animals. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in levels of total protein;triglycerides, progesterone, cholesterol and estrogen in the MSG-treated animals were amelioratedfollowing administration of ASD.Conclusion: These findings suggest that ASD contains bioactive agents which reversed MSG-induceduterine hyperplasia. It may therefore be useful in reducing the proliferation of fibroblast cells andmanaging other symptoms associated with uterine myoma.