ABSTRACT

Natural products such as plants are reliable sources to search for new and efficient therapies to health problems. Plants have shown usefulness in the management of female reproductive health issue. Though a number of such plants exists one which is of great interest to me is Allamanda cathartica. Hence this study which was designed to investigate the phytochemical analysis and uterine activity of the methanol extract of A. cathartica, as a measure to determine its usefulness in the treatment of female reproductive health issues.

Phytochemical screening for active plant metabolites was done using standard methods of analysis. The methanol extract of the aerial part of A. cathartica on spontaneous, oxytocin, KCL-induced contraction and oxytocin – induced contraction in calcium free medium were determined on isolated uterus of non-pregnant female mice.

The result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, saponin, tannin, flavonoids, anthracene derivative and alkaliods. The results obtained also showed that the methanol extract of aerial part of A. cathartica inhibited spontaneous contraction, oxytocin induced contraction, KCL-induced contraction and oxytocin – induced contraction in calcium free medium.

This study revealed the presence of active plant metabolites in the methanol extract and has shown the plant extract to have a relaxant effect on the isolated uterus. Hence, it will be useful in the management of female reproductive health issues.