Effects of Melatonin and Ethanolic Extract of Cannabis sativa leaves on Sexual Behaviour Parameters of Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Cannabis is the most commonly abused illicit drugs with medicinal values worldwide. However, there have neither been studies to explain the contribution of oxidative stress on cannabis-related female gonadotoxicity nor the possible ameliorative potential of melatonin on gonadotoxicity in females consuming cannabis. This study investigated the ameliorative property of melatonin on gonadotoxic effects of cannabis sativa  in female rats. Twenty female rats (156g ± 1.05) and four male rats (192g ± 1.42) were assigned into four groups of six animals each (female to male ratio, 5:1), such that the rats in groups I, II, III and IV received orally 1mL of distilled water, 2mg/kg  of ethanolic extract of cannabis sativa (EECS), 2mg/kg of EECS plus 4mg/kg of melatonin and 4mg/kg of melatonin, respectively. The female sexual behaviour parameters were monitored on days 7 and 14 respectively. Gonadotropin releasing hormone, Luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin were determined. EECS significantly (p<0.05) reduced darting frequency, hopping frequency, lordosis frequency, licking behavior, GnRH, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin respectively. However, it increased the darting latency, hopping latency and lordosis latency significantly (p<0.05). All these effects were significantly reduced (p<0.05) when combined with melatonin. The study revealed that EECS decreased sexual behaviour parameters which was ameliorated by melatonin.