The effects of powder of Ocimum canum Sims. leaves on ovary LHR expression and serum estradiol levels in premenopausal rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Kemangi (Ocimum canum Sims.) is one of the most commonly grown medicinal plants in Indonesia. Both leaves and seeds of O. canum Sims. contain antioxidants, namely carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C and thiamin. This research aimed to analyze the effects of powder of O. canum Sims. leaves on ovary LHR expression and serum estradiol levels of premenopausal rats. This research used 12 female rats (Rattus norvegicus), aged 12 months with weights of 180-220 g. The rats were divided into four groups: Group 1 (control, not given O. canum leaf powder), Group 2 (given O. canum leaf powder at a dosage of 0.25 g/kg BW), Group 3 (given O. canum leaf powder at a dosage of 0.50 g/kg BW) and Group 4 (given O. canum leaf powder at a dosage of 1.00 g/kg BW). All of the groups were given O. canum Sims. leaf powder orally for 15 days. Serum samples were taken on the 1st, 5th, 10th and 15th days. On the 16th day, rats were dissected and ovaries harvested. Estradiol levels were measured using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and LHR expression of ovary was analyzed by using immunohistochemistry. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with SPSS software version 16 for Windows. The results showed that the administration of O. canum Sims. leaf powder at all of the dosages were able to increase estradiol levels and tended to improve ovary LHR expression.