Antifertility activity of aqueous ethanolic leaf extract of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) in rats.
BACKGROUND
Despite the availability of modern (orthodox) medicine, many developing countries, especially in the rural areas, still rely heavily on traditional healers and medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs and that of their domestic animals. This has been attributed to easy accessibility and low cost of herbal medicine. In Eastern Nigeria, fresh leaves of Spondias mombin is widely used by the natives to aid delivery and to expel the placenta in small ruminants (sheep and goats), especially during difficult labour.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo effects of leaf extracts of S. mombin on reproductive performance of female rats.


METHODS
Acute toxicity test of the plant extract was carried out in rats of both sexes. The anticonceptive and abortifacient activity of the extract were investigated, including the Fertility Index or embryo score of control and treated animals. The estrogenic activity was determined using ovariectomized rats.


RESULTS
The results revealed a relatively non-toxic plant extract. The extract displayed anticonceptive but not abortifacient activity as judged by the number of pregnant animals at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy. The extract did not exhibit any oestrogenic activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Aqueous ethanol leaf extract of S. mombin has significant anticonceptive activity attributed to a direct action of the extract on the uterus.
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. cnuchendu@yahoo.co.uk
Chukwuka N
CN
Uchendu
Thomas
T
Isek
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts