Abstract
In uterine smooth muscle, the effects of Excoecaria grahamii are not yet documented. To fill this gap, we investigated the pharmacological effect of Excoecaria grahamii on the contraction of the rat isolated uterine horns. The isolated segments were exposed to different concentrations of the aqueous extract of Excoecaria grahamii leaves and pharmacological drugs. The results showed that Excoecaria grahamii aqueous extract decreased the amplitude and frequency by concentration-related manner. IC50 values were 2.4 and 2.6, respectively, for amplitude and frequency. Our study revealed that the extract did not act through histamine H2-receptors or the nitric oxide pathway. It also inhibited uterine contractions induced by oxytocin and potassium chloride (KCl). These data suggest that Excoecaria grahamii active compound can be used for calming uterine contractions. The action of Excoecaria grahamii showed that it can be useful to fight against diseases which caused uterotonic effects. It can be useful to prevent preterm birth and pains caused by menstruations but further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanism action.
Highlights
Excoecaria grahamii, formerly called Sapium grahamii, is a plant used in traditional medicine of Burkina Faso
The aqueous extract of Excoecaria grahamii leaves inhibited the basic contractions of rat uterine horns in a concentrationdependent manner (Figure 1)
This work is aimed at determining the effects of the aqueous extract of Excoecaria grahamii leaves and investigating its probable mechanism of action
Summary
Excoecaria grahamii, formerly called Sapium grahamii, is a plant used in traditional medicine of Burkina Faso. This plant is known for many therapeutic properties. In the locality of Kombissiri (Burkina Faso), it is used as an insecticide to protect crops [2]. We have notice that Excoecaria grahamii is traditionally used to induce abortions [1, 2]. Studies have not been conducted to examine the abortion activity of Excoecaria grahamii. It can be hypothesized that the aqueous extract of Excoecaria grahamii leaves causes an increase on uterine contractions because an increase of uterine contractions during pregnancy is a major risk of abortion
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