The effects of sustained delivery of diosgenin on the adrenal gland of female rats

Diosgenin is a steroidal saponin, which is extracted from the root of Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa). It has been reported to have tremendous medical applications. In addition, as an herbal extract it appears to be free of any major adverse effects. Recently, Wild Yam has been used to minimize post-menopausal symptoms and is sold unregulated over the counter at a variety of pharmacy and health food stores. The specific objectives of this study were to continuously deliver diosgenin to adult ovariectomized female rats for 45 days and follow changes in body weight, organ weight and histopathological changes in the adrenal gland. Adult female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups (n=54, 250-300 gm BW). Rats in group I served as the control group, animals in group II were ovariectomized and animals in group III were ovariectomized and supplemented with tricalcium phosphate (TCP) drug delivery system loaded with 500 mg disogenin. The results indicated that ovariectomized animals had a significant increase in body weight and spleen weights. Slight increases in wet adrenal weights were observed in the ovariectomized group compared to the control animals. Histopathological evaluation of the adrenal gland revealed an increase in the cortical and medullary adrenal areas of the ovariectomized group and a significant decrease in these areas in the disogenin treated animals (p<0.001). The information is considered important because reduction in adrenal mass may poses a potential for major endocrine complications.