Abstract
Many rural and poor women have now resorted to use of potential medicinal plants as a means of fertility control. Asparagus africanus Lam and Annona senegalensis Pers are some of the plants used for this purpose. The efficacy and safety of many of such plants, however, have not been verified. Therefore, screening for anti-fertility activity of potential medicinal plants, would thus provide alternative safe and affordable contraceptive, if effective and less toxic. This study aims to carry out phytochemical screening, acute toxic effects and antifertility activity in female rats of the aqueous extracts of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers combination. Acute toxicity test was done according to Lorke’s methods and antifertility activity of the extracts by use of the method described by Khanna and Chaudhary, with modification for our local use. The percentage inhibition of conception of the extract was compared with those of the controls. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of known anti-fertility principles such as saponins, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Acute toxicity studies indicated that the extract was non-toxic up to the highest dose of 12.8 g and the antifertility activity of the aqueous crude extract was found to be dose dependent. This study therefore demonstrated that the aqueous root extract of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers combination has antifertility activity and is safe at the doses employed in this study. Key words: Anti-fertility, rats, phytochemical screening, acute toxicity, Asparagus africanus, Annona senegalensis.
Highlights
Uganda has one of the fastest growing populations in the world with a fertility rate of 6.7 and an annual population growth rate of 3.2%
This study aims to carry out phytochemical screening, acute toxic effects and antifertility activity in female rats of the aqueous extracts of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers combination
Phytochemical screening of aqueous extract indicated the presence of free amino acids, terpenoids and saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, phenolic compounds and tannins
Summary
Uganda has one of the fastest growing populations in the world with a fertility rate of 6.7 and an annual population growth rate of 3.2% This is due in part to low contraceptive use as a result of lack of access to safe and affordable contraceptives (UDHS 2011). Screenings for anti-fertility activity of potential medicinal plants provided alternative safe and affordable contraceptive (Farnsworth, 1975). The root extract is applied externally for the relief of pain, rheumatism and chronic gout (Watt and Breyer-Brandurijk, 1962). This study was carried out to determine the antifertility activity of the crude extract of A. africanus Lam and A. senegalensis Pers root combination, with particular emphasis on phytochemical screening, determining the toxicity profile and evaluating the anti-fertility effects using experimental models in rats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
