Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf used in Nigerian ethnomedicine alters conception and some pregnancy outcomes in Wistar rat

Abstract

The leaf of Moringa oleifera (Lam) Moringaceae, is globally accepted in ethnomedicine and particularly used to tackle malnutrition and enhance breast milk production in resource-limited settings. It is reported to be laden with a wide array of interesting bioactive plant metabolites. However, its safety at conception and during pregnancy has not been well reported notably in Nigeria. This work investigated the in vitro and in vivo uteroactive and contraceptive potentials of cold and hot aqueous extracts of M. oleifera leaves (MOL) commonly used in Nigerian Traditional Medicine. In addition, we determined the physicochemical characteristics of the freeze-dried aqueous extracts and powder.Powdered MOL (100 g each, 1:10 w/v) was extracted in the cold (room temperature) and hot (boiling) distilled water. The in vitro protocol involved the dose-dependent effect of aqueous extracts of MOL on the tension produced by the isolated uteri of non-pregnant rats using organ bath. Uterine contractility and contraceptive properties of MOL were assessed in vivo using female Wistar rats (150–170 g). Particle morphology, size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of MOL were determined.The in vitro administration of cold and hot aqueous extracts of MOL significantly (p < .05) produced uterine contractility with varying intensities. Contractile effect of cold MOL aqueous extract (89.7%) was higher than that of hot MOL (50.6%). In vivo, MOL cold aqueous extracts administered before and after mating, respectively produced 100% and 80% inhibition of conception, while 96.6% and 58% effect was comparatively produced by hot aqueous extracts of MOL.This work has provided useful data on MOL, a commonly consumed medicinal preparation/food supplement and the possible implications of its intake before conception, at conception and during pregnancy.