The Effects Of Aqueous Leaf Extracts Of Hybanthus Enneaspermus And Parquetina Nigrescens On Female Reproduction And Pregnancy Outcome In Sprague-Dawley Rats

ABSTRACT

There is dearth of scientific information on the effects of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HE) and Parquetina nigrescens (PN) on female reproduction, pregnancy and its outcome. Yet, these two medicinal plants remain the first line of medicinal plants commonly used by Traditional Birth Attendants in care of women before, during and after pregnancy in South-west Nigeria. The effect of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) and Parquetina nigrescens (PNaq) on female reproduction and pregnancy outcome were investigated using Sprague-Dawley rats. The acute oral lethal doses (LD50) for the two extracts were determined in Swiss albino mice, using moving average method and probit analysis. Extract administration was orally at a dose of 2g/kg body weight for four weeks for non-pregnant rats and for the duration of pregnancy in gravid rats. The effects of the two medicinal plants were separately examined on gravid and non-gravid female reproductive parameters. Parameters examined in non-pregnant rats include; oestrus cycle pattern and length, ovulation, female hormonal profile (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen and progesterone), reproductive and other organ weight (uterus, pituitary gland, ovary, liver and kidney) , organ histology and body weight changes. The effects of the two extracts were also examined on the following parameters in pregnant-rats; maternal body weight, uterine muscle contraction, blastocyst implantation, placenta weight, haematological profile, fasting blood glucose, lipid and electrolyte profile, blood pressure, gestation length, litter size, weight at birth, and the presence of any birth defect.