In vitro Uterotonic Effects of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Picralima nitida (Stapf) on Isolated Uterine Smooth Muscles of Rats.

Abstract

Effects of aqueous ethanolic fruit extract of Picralima nitida (EFEPN) on

Effects of Ethanolic Fruit Extract of Picralima nitida (Stapf) on Conception and Estrogenicity in Female Albino Rats

“…The endometrial environment might not be conducive for implantation (Hazarika and Sarma, 2007) as revealed by the significant reduction in the mean live foetal number (LFN). In addition to the endometrial microenvironment, hyper motility of the myometrium can also prevent implantation, especially in view of the effect of the extract on the isolated uterine tissues (Mbegbu et al, 2014a). It is also possible that the newly implanted embryos that were exposed to the contractile effect of this extract were dislodged from the foeto-maternal units and consequently resorbed.…”

“…The failure of this extract to induce oestrogenicity suggests that the in vitro myometrial contraction elicited by this extract did not occur by the stimulation of the oestrogenic receptors. Mbegbu et al, (2014a) postulated that ethanolic fruit extract of Picralima nitida evoked myometrial contractions possibly by mobilization of the extracellular calcium and stimulation of the alpha adrenergic receptors.…”

“…Animals in Group 1 were given subcutaneous uterine muscle function. Our earlier in vitro studies revealed the ethanolic fruit extract of Picralima nitida as a potent spasmogen (Mbegbu et al, 2014a). Another plant, Plumeria rubra, which is also a member of the family Apocynaceae, has a well-established anti-fertility activity (Dabhadkar et al, 2012).…”

“…Drugs and plant extracts that precipitate myometrial contraction are known to cause anti-conception in animals. Our earlier in vitro studies (Mbegbu et al, 2014a) proved that ethanolic fruit extract of Picralima nitida is a potent myometrial contractant, hence the need to investigate its potency in vivo. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the effects of ethanolic fruit extract of Picralima nitida on conception and oestrogenicity.…”

“…Rats in Group 1 were given 0.5 ml of distilled water and served as control. The choice of dose was based on the acute toxicity test (Nyunaï and Njifutié, 2006) and in vitro studies (Mbegbu et al, 2014a) On the 20 th day of gestation, percentage of pregnant females per group (PPF), mean live foetal number (LFN), corpus luteum number (CLN), resorbed embryo number per pregnant female (REN) and foetal crown-rump lengths (FC-RL) were evaluated. The postcoitum Fertility Index (embryo score) was deduced from the equation (Wong et al, 1987;Uchendu et al, 2000):…”