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ABSTRACT
3, 4-dihydrobenzaldehyde (DHB) also known as protocatechuic aldehyde is a phenolic aldehyde which is known to have anti-cancer properties against human breast cancer and colorectal cancer cells. It specifically down regulates the TNF-a-induced cell surface expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1. The current study aimed to investigate the uterine contractility effects of DHB. Pure sample of DHB was tested on isolated mouse uteri by utilizing the cumulative concentrations of solutions of DHB (0.001- 5.4 mg/ml). This was tested on spontaneous uterine contractions, oxytocin-induced contractions, high KCl-induced contractions and in the presence of Calcium- free medium. The results obtained showed that DHB inhibited spontaneous uterine contraction. It reduced the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contraction in a dose dependent manner. In the case of oxytocin induced contraction, the extract was observed to decrease the amplitude and frequency of oxytocin-induced uterine contraction. This suggests interaction of the extract with both extracellular and intracellular calcium in the myometrium. This study has also shown that DHB seems to solely have inhibitory effect on uterine contraction. Thus, suggesting DHB have a monophasic effect on uterine contractility. DHB can therefore serve as a lead molecule to aid in the search of drugs in the management of reproductive health.
