EFFECT OF Psidium guajava LEAF ON CAFFEINE-INDUCED OVARIAN TISSUE DAMAGE IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Psidium guajava is a widely consumed tropical fruit known for its medicinal properties. Caffeine, a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other sources, is known to affect reproductive function in both humans and experimental models. This study examines the effect of methanol leaf extract of Psidium guajava (MLEPG) and caffeine on female hormonal markers and ovarian histomorphology for 21 days. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups (n=5): a normal control [NC], a 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) caffeine-alone [CA] group, and the groups that received caffeine plus doses of MLEPG (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW. CA alone resulted in a significant (p<0.05) elevation in FSH and reductions in LH, estradiol, and progesterone levels. Co-treatment with MLEPG produced dose-dependent hormonal restoration, with higher doses significantly (p<0.05) reducing FSH and increasing LH, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. The CA group showed severe ovarian damage with atretic follicles and no follicular development. The three doses of MLEPG showed better ovarian restoration, with some follicular growth, signs of follicular regeneration and an almost normal ovarian histology, similar to the NC group. The results suggest that MLEPG may restore caffeine-induced hormonal alterations and ovarian damage and could be a potential natural remedy for protecting reproductive health.