Loranthus micranthus (LM), also called African mistletoe is a major Nigerian Loranthaceae plant used traditionally to treat hypertension. The methanolic leaf extract of the plant (LMME) has been shown to elicit anti-hypertensive activity in rats but mechanism remains unclear. This study was undertaken to study the effect of LM on pressor-induced contraction of rat aorta smooth muscles and serum lipid profiles in mice. The LMME was partitioned to produce n-butanol (NBF-LMME), chloroform (CF-LMME), ethyl acetate (EAF-LMME) and water (WF-LMME) fractions. The median effective concentrations and maximum relaxation of the fractions were determined against epinephrine and KCl pre-contracted rat aorta ring model. Serum lipid profiles and nitric oxide (NO) were determined spectrophotometrically in mice administered per orally 250 mg/kg b.w. of each fraction for 21 days. Data were analyzed statistically. NBF-LMME elicited the highest dose-dependent inhibitory effect on rat aorta pre-contracted with norepinephrine and KCl, followed in decreasing order by WF-LMME > CF-LMME > EAF-LMME. Similar order of activity was observed in the ability of these fractions to inhibit elevation in artherogenic lipids, raise serum nitric oxide and reduce cardiac arginase in mice. We conclude the anti-hypertensive activity of L. micranthus involve anti-artherogenic events, vasorelaxation, cardiac arginase reduction and NO elevation.

Folkloric claims has implicated the plant Tapinanthus bangwensis, indiginous to Nigeria as a possible adjuvant in the treatment of infertility in women. This study seeks to scientifically validate this claim. Hence, the effect of administration of aqueous extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis leaves for 52 days on reproductive hormones of female rats was investigated. 30 female sprague‐dawley rats were grouped into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 (control), 2,3,4 and 5 received 1ml‐distilled water, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, 0.714mg/kg clomiphene citrate and 11.43mg/kg folic acid respectively. Hormonal analysis using Eliza kits indicated increase In the serum FSH level (5.63± 0.1), LH (37.96± 0.13), progesterone (0.13± 0.20) and Estradiol (20.06±0.15) for grp 2, when compared with the control (4.64± 0.22), FSH,(2.12± 0.15) LH, (0.05±0.20) Progesterone, and (11.62±0.13) Estradiol respectively. Also reduction in the serum prolactin level 122.46±0.10 was observed in group 2, when compared to it's control 179.63±0.14. Again administration of the extract in group 3 produced a significant increase in FSH 26.74± 0.012, LH 41.74±0.01, Progesterone 1.61± 0.02 and Estradiol 30.70±0.02 at P<0.05, compared to control, and a significant reduction in Prolactin 98.46±0.02. Group 4 showed FSH (5.19±0.012), LH (83.18±0.014), Progesterone (0.09±0.021), Estradiol (18.50±0.025) and Prolactin (181.80±0.011), while FSH (5.45±0.023), LH (3.49±0.04), Progesterone (0.28±0.025), Estradiol (19.10±0.03) and. Prolactin (225.16±0.031) was for group 5. We conclude, that the hormonal effect of plant extract compares more favourably to folic acid and clomiphene citrate that are known fertility enhancers.

Mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. album) is known as an obligatory hemiparasite of trees and is consumed by herbivores in some places, especially during periods of forage shortage and drought. This experiment was conducted to determine nutrient composition and nutritive value of mistletoe with respect to its fertility enhancing potential. Mistletoe samples were collected from the wild orange tree in the thick forest of Egbeda, Lagos, Nigeria. In this study, Mistletoe was analyzed for its antioxidant and mineral content using spectrophotometric methods. The results revealed; Mean total antioxidant capacity was 81.77mg/g Ascobic acid equivalence, Mean total Phenolic content was 55.04mg/g Garlic equivalence Mean total Flavonoid is 68.985mg/g Rutin equivalence. % Inhibition DPPH Scavenging activity at 25ug/ml, 50ug/ml, 75ug/ml, 100ug/ml, concentrations were 50.21%, 56.09%,61.18% and 70.23% respectively. Also, the Reducing Power Ability recorded were 0.282ug/ml, 0.335ug/ml, 0.529ug/ml, 0.663ug/ml. A very high level of magnesium (240.8mg/100g), potassium (122.4mg/100g), moderate levels of calcium (55.2mg/100g), sodium (42.2mg/100g), and a fair amount of iron (16.4mg/100g). The proximate analysis for percentage Moisture, Ash, Fat, Protein, Crude fibre and carbohydrate, were 22.3, 5.785, 3.26, 5.475, 17.42, 47.54 respectively. Also the phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponinns, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, and lectins.Currently Viscum album has shown promising results in its use as a fertility enhancing plant, the above shows that it is of high nutritive value of health importance.

The fertility activity of Tapinanthus bangwensis in female rats were investigated in the present study. Twenty four cyclic female rats were administered orally at 1g/kg body weight between 140 and 200g. This was confirmed by checking their vaginal smear for four consecutive cycles.The animals were divided into eight groups of three rats each, group 1 animals served as the control and received equivalent volume of distilled water. Group 2 animals received clomiphene citrate( a fertility enhancing drug), group 3 received duofem(a contraceptive drug), Group 4,5 and 6 received the aqueous leaf extract at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg respectively. group 7 received Vit E and group 8 received Folic acid. They were all administered orally at 9:00am on proestrus to determine it's effect on ovulation. Results revealed a significant difference at P<0.05 between the groups that received the extract at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg. when compared to the control groups. The extract group gave higher mean values of 13.1 as compared to the control of mean value 7.3. Our result gives added scientific support to the use of Tapinanthus bangwensis in the treatment of infertility related problems in women.

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