ABSTRACT

Tamarindus indica L (Fabaceae), an annual shrub that is indigenous to tropical Africa. It is commonly known as Tamarind and has a history of use. Medicinal parts for tamarind trees include their fruit, seeds, leaves and bark. Tamarindus indica is a common ingredient in ayurvedic medicine. The aim of the study is to investigate which fraction (DCM and Aqueous) of the ethanol extract of Tamarindus indica more potent in isolated rat uterus.

Fresh stem bark powder was obtained, authenticated and was extracted with ethanol. The extract was then partitioned using a separating funnel into to two different fractions (Dichloromethane (DCM) fraction and Aqueous Fraction) and they were concentrated. The animal to be used was pre-treated with diethylstilbesterol (0.1 mg/kg), after which it as sacrificed by cervical dislocation, dissected immediately and uterine segments of 2cm free from fatty tissues was obtained. The uterine segment was then mounted in a 10ml organ bath containing De-Jalon’s physiological salt solution. The effect of the extract alone was evaluated as well as in the presence of oxytocin induced contraction, 80nM potassium chloride induced contraction, and calcium chloride, High potassium rich calcium chloride free solution.

Both Fractions of the extract relaxed the amplitude of oxytocin induced contraction. It also relaxed the potassium induced contraction with DCM fraction having a higher effect than the aqueous fraction and there was significant inhibition of calcium chloride contraction with DCM fraction as seen with high potassium calcium chloride free solution

The results shows that the DCM fraction of the Ethanol extract of Tamarindus indica stem bark is more potent than the aqueous fraction in exerting inhibitory effect on uterine smooth muscles.