TITLE:
Antifertility Effects of Aqueous Roots Extract of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) on Female Albino Rats
AUTHORS:
Dieudonne Massoma Lembè, Larice E. Njoh Njoh, Emma F. Bend, Brice L. Koloko, Pierre C. Oundoum Oundoum, Marie I. Ngaha Njila, Hubert Kenmogne, Cyprien M. Hambe, Marie C. Tchamadeu, Judith Domkam, Theophile Dimo, Gustavo F. Gonzales
KEYWORDS:
Implantation, Embryo Development, Abortion, Hormone Level
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.8,
July
29,
2014
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.