Aframomum Melegueta protects against Lithium Chloride-Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepsy via HPG axis, Regulates Oxidative Stress and enhances Ovarian Histoarchitectural Integrity in Female Wistar Rats

Epilepsy is a global neurological disorder frequently associated with reproductive and endocrine dysfunctions in both males and females. Antiepileptic drug such as Aframomum melegueta has been reported to possess antioxidant and medicinal properties, but its effects on epilepsy-induced ovarian dysfunction remain unexplored. This study evaluates the effects of Aframomum melegueta on reproductive hormones, oxidative stress markers and ovarian histoarchitectural changes in lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced epileptic female rats. Twenty-four adult female Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6): control, epileptic (untreated), A. melegueta-treated epileptic and standard antiepileptic drug-treated epileptic groups. Epilepsy was induced using intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride and pilocarpine. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Body and ovarian weights were recorded, serum samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones and oxidative stress indices, and ovarian tissues were examined histologically following sacrifice under diethyl ether anesthesia. Treatment with A. melegueta resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in relative ovarian weight, superoxide dismutase activity, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels compared with the epileptic control and standard drug groups. Malondialdehyde levels significantly reduced in the A. melegueta-treated group relative to the epileptic control but remained higher than those in the standard drug group. Histological analysis of ovaries from epileptic rats showed follicular degeneration, oocyte loss and necrotic changes, whereas these alterations were markedly attenuated in A. melegueta-treated rats. These findings suggest Aframomum melegueta exhibited protective and restorative effects against epilepsy-induced ovarian damage by improving hormonal balance, enhancing antioxidant defense, and preserving ovarian histoarchitecture.