Abstract
Aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia was studied to evaluate its traditional antifertility claim. Antifertility effect of Alchornea cordifolia was evaluated according to the stages of pregnancy of female rats. In the first stage, forty female rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats/group) and respectively treated with 1 ml distilled water (control), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day of Alchornea cordifolia. After laparotomy and at parturition, sites of implantation and resorption on the uterine horns were determined. The ovaries and uterus were collected and weighed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. In the second and third stage of pregnancy, treatment schedule and antifertility parameters were assessed as above for the first stage. Treated groups received daily 400 mg/kg bw of extract of Alchornea cordifolia while Control group received distilled water. It was observed in the first stage of pregnancy that, the number of resorption sites significantly (p plantation site was observed at dose 400 mg/kg after laparotomy as well as the number of pups at parturition at all doses. The body weight of ovaries and uterine horns at dose 400 mg/kg significantly (p third stage of pregnancy, the extract caused an early parturition associated with a decreased number of live fetus and the survival ratio with p The results indicate that aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia could induce inhibitory effects on reproductive functions in female albino rats.
Highlights
Population growth throughout the world more in underdeveloped countries has tremendous effect on the economic progress
Administration of Alchornea cordifolia extract to the female rats significantly (p < 0.05) decreased at dose 100 and 200 mg/kg the number of resorption sites during the first stage of pregnancy
This effect of the aqueous extract of Alchornea cordifolia on implantation is marked by the presence of resorption sites through the uterine horns of rats sacrificed on the 8th day of gestation and by the absence of pups to those left to term
Summary
Population growth throughout the world more in underdeveloped countries has tremendous effect on the economic progress. Considerable progress has been made in the development of highly effective variety of synthetic contraceptive drugs, the most challenging pursuits in health care system is the search for newer, more potent, additional safe and less expensive methods that require self administration and can be available to the majority of population of any country. It is why traditional medicine has received considerable interest in the treatment of diseases in the third world population. Many plants’ extract have been used as antifertility agents in folklore and traditional medicine without producing apparent toxic effects [3]
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