Bafor E.E., Nwiko M., Omogbai E.K.I., Ozolua R.I., Nworgu Z.A.M.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria
Bafor, E.E., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Nwiko, M., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Omogbai, E.K.I., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Ozolua, R.I., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria; Nworgu, Z.A.M., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City 300001, Nigeria
The effect of the aqueous stem-bark extract of Ficus exasperata (ASE) was studied on oxytocin- and acetylcholine-induced uterine contractions in uterine preparations isolated from non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats in oestrus. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was also performed. There were no statistically significant increases in the concentrations of oxytocin and acetylcholine required to elicit 30 and 50% of maximum response (EC30 and EC50, respectively) in the presence of the extract. Salbutamol and atropine, however, significantly inhibited the effects of oxytocin and acetylcholine, respectively. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponin glycosides. These results indicate that ASE possesses no inhibitory effect on the non-pregnant rat uterus as claimed by traditional healers. © 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.
acetylcholine; alkaloid; anthracene; atropine; carbohydrate; cardiac glycoside; Ficus exasperata extract; oxytocin; plant extract; salbutamol; saponin; tannin derivative; triterpene; unclassified drug; uterus spasmolytic agent; water; animal experiment; animal tissue; article; bark; chemical analysis; concentration response; controlled study; drug antagonism; drug inhibition; drug mechanism; estrus; female; Ficus; Ficus exasperata; in vitro study; nonhuman; phytochemistry; rat; uterus contraction; uterus relaxation