Oxytocic and Abortifacient Activities of Xylopia Aethiopica Ethanol Fruit Extract on Female Wistar Rats

Authors

  • Amuchechukwu Veronica Nwafor Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Eugene Ohams Ohanme Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndifu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Uzochukwu Ofonakara Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndifu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Clementina Nkiru Eze Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Francis Chigozie Okoroafor Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Chukwujioke Bobbie Iwe Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Onuchukwu Victor Uchenna Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Abraham Bong Onwe Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
  • Grace Ngozi Orofuke Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Samuel Ghasi Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v8i3.722

Keywords:

Oxytocin, abortion, postpartum haemorrhage, pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy describes the period of fetal development in the uterus until delivery. Pregnancy, labour and puerperium present challenges that encourage use of medications to relieve symptoms, terminate pregnancy and prevent primary postpartum haemorrhage. Some pregnant women still rely on herbal remedies for treatment of pregnancy related problems. X. aethiopica is a natural spice used in preparing soup for women after delivery to prevent primary postpartum haemorrhage.

Objective: To investigate the oxytocic effects of ethanol fruit extract of Xylopia aethiopica (X. aethiopica).

Methods: This experimental study was done on Sixty six adult wistar rats comprising of 12 males for mating and 44 females that weighed 150–180g were used in this study. Acute toxicity test, qualitative phytochemical analysis, abortifacient and oxytocic studies were all done. The Median LD50 was established to be 1703 mg/kg in rats.

Results: The phytochemical analytes were found to be Flavonoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides and steroids. There was dose dependent decrease in body weight of the animals treated with X. aethiopica. The extract did not have oxytocic effect on postpartum uterus like oxytocin. It rather caused relaxation of the uterus.

Conclusion: Ethanol fruit extract of X. aethiopica did not exert oxytocic effect on female wistar rats. It is, therefore, not recommended in the prevention of primary postpartum haemorrhage.

International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 03 Jul’24 Page: 268-274

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Published

2024-08-25

How to Cite

Nwafor, A. V., Ohanme, E. O., Ofonakara, U., Eze, C. N., Okoroafor, F. C., Iwe, C. B., … Ghasi, S. (2024). Oxytocic and Abortifacient Activities of Xylopia Aethiopica Ethanol Fruit Extract on Female Wistar Rats. International Journal of Human and Health Sciences (IJHHS), 8(3), 268–274. https://doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v8i3.722

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2024)

Section

Original Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Amuchechukwu Veronica Nwafor

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