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ABSTRACT
Preterm labour or threatened abortion is a childbirth complication which is regarded as a major cause of childbirth related death and disease. Current interventions contribute less than 3-4% reduction of global pre-term birth rates, an estimate that highlights the need for continuous research in this area. Additionally, irregularities or abnormalities in the female sex hormones may increase the possibility of preterm birth and result in other life threatening situations which could range from menopausal symptoms to cancers. Current management of hormonal imbalance is often accompanied by several side effects leading to the need for alternative remedies which may be found in plant. This study scientifically investigated the tocolytic potential of Anthocleista djalonesis (A. djalonesis) leaf extracts used by herbalist to treat threatened abortion. The study was carried out in three phases; Extraction and Identification of active compounds, toxicity study evaluation and Invitro uterine contractility assay in non-pregnant mice. Matured leaves of Anthocleista djalonesis (A. djalonesis) was collected dried, pulverized and extracted via maceration. Extracts were subjected to Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) single phase ion mode spectra of peaks which corresponds to the relative abundance of compounds were matched with spectra of known compounds of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). A total of thirty six rats and 5 mice were used for the study and kept separately under standard conditions and ethical clearance obtained. Acute toxicity was carried out according to Lorke’s method, to determine lethal dose of the extract. Thirty rats were used for the sub chronic study and were divided into six groups of five rats and treated in graded concentrations of 50, 150, 250, 300 and 350 mg/kg body weight. Group 1 was considered as control group and were treated with plant extract, rats were sacrificed, blood samples and organs were collected for biochemical assays including hematological and histopathological assays. In the third phase five virgin Albino mice were used for invitro uterine contractility assay for the invitro assay the uterus was isolated and uterine segment were mounted in organ baths (10mls) which contained aerated Ringer Locke’s or HEPES Buffer PSS (physiological salt solution) at (370c) and the differential force (amplitude) and frequency were recorded via an isomeric force transducer as A. djanolenesis extract was tested on spontaneous, high KCl and oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in non-pregnant mice
Forty-six compounds were detected in the methanol extract including 3-eicosyne, tetramethyl-2-hexadecan-1-ol, hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid as the most predominant compounds. Administration of A. djanolenesis in acute study revealed no death after seventy-two (72) hours indicating the lethal dose to 50% of experimental animals LD50 to be greater and equal to 5 g/kg. The sub-chronic study showed no significant increase (P>0.5) in Alanine aminotransferase, ALT Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) Aspartate amino transferase (AST).etc. activities when compared to control. A. djanolenesis inhibited spontaneous and oxytocin, KCL-induced contraction in non-pregnant mice uterus in a dose dependent manner. Its relaxant activity at dose 100 mg/mL with 0.381 amplitude over a relaxant standard drug sabultamol at 0.420 amplitude when compared was observed.The decreasing amplitude is a function of a relaxant potential on an increasing contractile amplitude.Data for this study shows that A. djanolenes extract has significant relative safety margin and contains active compounds which may potentiates its activity against threatened abortion being used by traditional herbalist.
