Effects of Aqueous Extract of Turmeric on Estrogen Toxicity on the Histology of the Mammary Gland of Female Wistar Rats

Estrogen is the most commonly prescribed drug as an oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy in women. The present study was conducted to examine the possible effects of turmeric against Mammary gland toxicity induced by estrogen in female wistar rats. 35 female Wistar rats were assigned into five (7) groups of five (5) rats each after a period of two (2) weeks of acclimatization; the first group which was the control group was the control group, Group 2 received estrogen only, group 3 and group 4 received turmeric and estrogen together, group 5 received turmeric only while group 6 and 7 were pre-treated with turmeric before they were given estrogen orally. At the end of experimental period the animals were weighed and then sacrificed by decapitation under diethyl ether anesthesia. The mammary gland tissues were harvested for histological examination. The histological examination showed that the animals treated with estrogen alone induced ductal epitheliosis while the Concurrent administration of estrogen and turmeric as well as pre-treatment with turmeric retained the normal ductal epithelial status