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; Omogbai, E.K., 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
The leaves of Ficus exasperata Vahl Enum. Pl. vahl (Moraceae) are used by traditional healers in Southern Nigeria to arrest preterm contractions in pregnant women and are also used as abortifacients in some parts of Africa. In this study the purported uterotonic activity of the aqueous leaf extract of F. exasperata (AET) was investigated in vitro. AET was obtained from the fresh leaves of the plant. The effect of the extract on rhythmic spontaneous uterine contractions was investigated and the extract was also directly tested on uterine tissues. The effect of the extract was compared with those of acetylcholine. The extract, at concentrations ranging from 2.5×10-2 to 100×10-2 mg mL1, significantly increased the frequency (p<0.05) but not the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and directly stimulated uterine contractions. Acetylcholine likewise, concentration-dependency stimulated uterine contractions and significantly increased the frequency (p<0.05) of spontaneous contractions. The aqueous leaf extract of F. exasperata at the concentrations used in this study stimulates uterine contractility which may account for its use in easing childbirth in some parts of Africa. © 2009 Academic Journals Inc.
acetylcholine; alkaloid derivative; anthracene derivative; cardiac glycoside; Ficus exasperata extract; flavanoid; plant extract; salbutamol; saponin; tannin derivative; unclassified drug; uterotonic agent; water; animal tissue; article; concentration response; controlled study; drug determination; drug inhibition; drug mechanism; drug potentiation; drug screening; female; Ficus; Ficus exasperata; in vitro study; isolated organ; nonhuman; phytochemistry; plant leaf; rat; uterus contractility; uterus contraction; Ficus exasperata; Moraceae