| Title | In vitro determination of the uterine stimulatory effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Ficus exasperata. | | Author(s) | Bafor EE, Omogbai EK, Ozolua RI | | Institution | Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Nigeria. | | Source | J Ethnopharmacol 2009 Oct 12. | | Abstract | ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The leaves of Ficus exasperata Vahl (Moraceae) are used by traditional healers in Southern Nigeria to arrest pre - term contractions and are also used as an abortifacient in some parts of Africa. AIM OF STUDY: An earlier study on the aqueous leaf extract of F. exasperata (AET) showed that the extract at lower concentrations inhibited oxytocin-induced uterine contractions and at higher concentrations, stimulated uterine contraction. This study thus aims to determine, the possible mechanisms by which AET stimulates uterine contraction in vitro.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The contractile effect of AET (5.0 x 10(-2) to 100 x 10(-2) mg/ml) and oxytocin (which was used as a reference drug) were examined in the presence of the following antagonists: atropine (1.18 and 11.91nM); indomethacin (1.42nM and 14.25nM); verapamil (2.03 and 20.35nM); phentolamine (4.09 and 40.91nM), or diphenhydramine (4.45 and 44.47nM). The EC(50) and E(max) were determined and statistically analyzed using one way Anova and Dunnett post hoc test.
RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the EC(50) and E(max) of AET and oxytocin in the presence of atropine. Diphenhydramine and phentolamine significantly inhibited (p<0.01) the extract but both drugs had no effect on oxytocin. However, significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in the EC(50) and E(max) of AET and oxytocin in the presence of verapamil and indomethacin.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the stimulation of uterine contractility by AET may arise from the activation of histamine H(1)- and/or alpha-adrenergic receptors, interference with calcium channels and/or stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis in utero. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19833184 |
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