Experimental evaluation of the impact of maternal consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus on pregnancy in Sprague Dawley rats

• Published in: African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines complementary, and alternative medicines, 2013-01, Vol.10 (2), p.283-291
• Main Authors: Olubajo, Awobajo Funmileyi, Adefunke, Adegoke Olufeyisipe, Olubusola, Iranloye Bolanle, Ibilola, Olatunji-Bello Ibiyemi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fetal Development - drug effects; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Leukocyte Count; Lipids - blood; Litter Size - drug effects; Myometrium - drug effects; Organ Size; Placenta - drug effects; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Leaves; Platelet Count; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Research Papers; Thyroid Hormones - blood; Violaceae - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0189-6016; 2505-0044; 0189-6016
• DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v10i2.13

The impact of aqueous leaf extract of Hybanthus enneaspermus (HEaq) on pregnancy factors and litter survival was investigated in Sprague Dawley (SD) rat. Control group received distilled water while the test group received 2g/kg body weight of HEaq orally. Blood samples were collected on days one and twenty of pregnancy for total blood count, serum thyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) assay. Half the number of rats in each group was sacrificed on day nineteen of pregnancy and the placenta and foetus were removed and weighed. The second half carried their pregnancy to term. Number and weights of litter were recorded at birth and the litter were also subjected to righting reflex test. Post-natal survival rate was determined for each group while effect of HEaq was also examined in-vivo on the activities of pregnant myometrial muscle. HEaq significantly decreased (p