Evaluation of estrogenic activity of alcoholic extract of rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides

The rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Amaryllidacea) is an important Ayurvedic as well as Unani drug. It is present in several drug formulations used in the treatment of menorrhagia and other gynecological problems. In this study, we conducted a comparative study of estrogenic activity of alcoholic extract of Curculigo orchioides with diethylstilbestrol in bilaterally ovariectomized young albino rats. Bilaterally ovariectomized albino rats were divided into five groups (n = 9) receiving different treatments, consisting of vehicle (0.6% w/v sodium carboxy methyl cellulose), ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides at three different doses (viz., 300, 600, 1200 mg/kg body weight) and standard drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. All these were administered orally daily for 7 days. Estrogenic activity was assessed by taking percentage vaginal cornification, uterine wet weight, uterine glycogen content and uterine histology as parameters of assessment. Alcoholic extract of Curculigo orchioides showed a significant increase in percentage vaginal cornification, uterine wet weight (P < 0.001), uterine glycogen content (P < 0.001) and a proliferative changes in uterine endometrium compared to the control.