Abstract
Ajumbise is a polyherbal used by women in southeast Nigeria to enhance labor, expel retained placenta and blood clots after delivery, relief postpartum and menstrual pains and promote involution of the uterus. In this study, the effect of the polyherbal on uterine smooth muscles function was evaluated to scientifically validate its traditional uterotonic use. The polyherbal so obtained was physically separated into six different plant parts and identified. Extracts were prepared from the whole material and the six plant materials. Matured female albino rats previously primed with stilboesterol (1 mg/kg body weight) for 24 h were used for the study. Uterine horn from each rat was suspended in a 30 ml organ bath containing Dejalon solution maintained at 37°C and continuously bubbled with air. Effects of administered drugs were recorded on a digital physiograph by means of an isometric force transducer. Results obtained showed that Ajumbise extract as a whole significantly caused contractions of the isolated uterine tissue when compared with basal rhythmic contractions (P<0.005) with percentage activities of 16.03±4.70%, 24.12±1.58% and 17.78±1.77% for applied 333.33 µg/ml, 999.99 µg/ml and 1666.66 µg/ml respectively. However, only Uvaria chamae had contractile effect while the others, Barteria fistulosa, Napoleonaea vogelii, Spondias mombin, Euphorbia convolvuloides and Ceiba pentandra) caused varying degrees of tocolytic effects. The order of the tocolytic activities was Ceiba pentandra > Spondias mombin > Barteria fistulosa > Napoleona vogelli > Euphorbia convolvuloids. While the contractile responses elicited by the whole extract were lower than those of standard agents (oxytocin and acetylcholine). The contractile effect of Ajumbise as a whole may be the difference in activities between one uterotonic agent and five tocolytic agents. We therefore conclude that components of Ajumbise may be a potential source of uterotonic and tocolytic agents.
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