EFFECT OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPICA ON PREGNANCY HORMONES

ABSTRACT

Negro pepper ( Xylopia aethiopica ) a commonly utilized spice and medicinal plant in various cultures, possesses several bio active compounds. The aim of this study is to explore the potential impact of Negro pepper in pregnancy hormone. Forty adult, female wistar rats were used for the study and were divided randomly into 2 phases: Germinal phases and Embryonic phase , with 4 groups for each phase: Grouo A, B, C, D where D=control, other groups were administered the extract and n=5. At the end of the experiment , blood was collected via cardiac puncture , centrifuged and hormonal assay was carried out. Results showed that there were no significant increase in LH levels in germinal phase when compared to control and no significant decrease in LH levels when compared to control in the Embryonic phase . It was also observed that for FSH levels there was a significant decrease in 1ml/kg when compared to control in germinal phase while in Embryonic phase there was a significant decrease in 1ml/kg when compared to control. It was also observed that in Embryonic phase estradiol levels significantly decreased in 0.5ml /kg and 1.0ml/kg compared to control. There was a decrease in serum level of progesterone in 0.25ml/kg and 1.0ml/kg when compared with control, but the decrease was not significant , while in 0.5ml/kg there was an increase when compared to control in the germinal phase while, in the Embryonic phase there was a decrease but no significant decrease in the l0.25ml/kg and 1.0ml/kg when compared to control while in 0.5kl/kg there was an increase but not significant. This has led to the conclusion that Negro pepper extract might have decreased the levels of progesterone and estrogen during pregnancy which is harmful to fetal health.