Antifertility Effects of Aqueous Roots Extract of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) on Female Albino Rats

Dieudonne Massoma  Lembè; Larice E. Njoh  Njoh; Emma F.  Bend; Brice L.  Koloko; Pierre C. Oundoum  Oundoum; Marie I. Ngaha  Njila; Hubert  Kenmogne; Cyprien M.  Hambe; Marie C.  Tchamadeu; Judith  Domkam; Theophile  Dimo; Gustavo F.  Gonzales

doi:10.4236/pp.2014.58094

PP Vol.5 No.8 , July 2014

Antifertility Effects of Aqueous Roots Extract of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) on Female Albino Rats

Dieudonne Massoma Lembè^*, Larice E. Njoh Njoh, Emma F. Bend, Brice L. Koloko, Pierre C. Oundoum Oundoum, Marie I. Ngaha Njila, Hubert Kenmogne, Cyprien M. Hambe, Marie C. Tchamadeu, Judith Domkam, Theophile Dimo, Gustavo F. Gonzales

Abstract: Aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia was studied to evaluate its traditional antifertility claim. Antifertility effect of Alchornea cordifolia was evaluated according to the stages of pregnancy of female rats. In the first stage, forty female rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats/group) and respectively treated with 1 ml distilled water (control), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day of Alchornea cordifolia. After laparotomy and at parturition, sites of implantation and resorption on the uterine horns were determined. The ovaries and uterus were collected and weighed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. In the second and third stage of pregnancy, treatment schedule and antifertility parameters were assessed as above for the first stage. Treated groups received daily 400 mg/kg bw of extract of Alchornea cordifolia while Control group received distilled water. It was observed in the first stage of pregnancy that, the number of resorption sites significantly (p < 0.05) decreased at 100 and 200 mg/kg. No implantation site was observed at dose 400 mg/kg after laparotomy as well as the number of pups at parturition at all doses. The body weight of ovaries and uterine horns at dose 400 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when compared to the control. The extract dose dependently decreased significantly the concentrations of serum progesterone. In the second stage of pregnancy after laparotomy and at parturition, the number of live fetus and the survival ratio significantly (p < 0.001) decreased and were associated with the vaginal discharge and bleeding of animals. In the third stage of pregnancy, the extract caused an early parturition associated with a decreased number of live fetus and the survival ratio with p < 0.001. The results indicate that aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia could induce inhibitory effects on reproductive functions in female albino rats.

Keywords: Implantation, Embryo Development, Abortion, Hormone Level

Cite this paper: Lembè, D. , Njoh, L. , Bend, E. , Koloko, B. , Oundoum, P. , Njila, M. , Kenmogne, H. , Hambe, C. , Tchamadeu, M. , Domkam, J. , Dimo, T. and Gonzales, G. (2014) Antifertility Effects of Aqueous Roots Extract of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) on Female Albino Rats. Pharmacology & Pharmacy, 5, 838-845. doi: 10.4236/pp.2014.58094.

References

[1] Sandhya, B., Thomas, S., Isabel, W. and Shenbagarathai, R. (2006) Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by the Valaiyan Community of Piranmalai Hills (Reserved Forest), Tamil Nadu, India. A Pilot Study. The African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 3, 101-114.

[2] Gupta, R.S. and Rakhi, S. (2006) A Review on Medicinal Plant Exhibiting Antifertility Activity on Males. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 5, 389-410.

[3] Singh, A. and Singh, S.K. (2009) Evaluation of Antifertility Potential of Brahmi in Male Mouse. Contraception, 79, 71-79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2008.07.023

[4] Arbonnier (2002) Arbres, arbustes et lianes des zones sèches d’Afrique de l’Ouest. CIRAD, MNHN.

[5] Ogungbamila, F.O. and Samuelsson, G. (1990) Flavonoïdes de détente de muscles lisse de Alchornea cordifolia. Acta Pharmaceutica, 2, 421-422.

[6] Osadebe, P.O. and Okoye, F.B. (2003) Les Effets Anti-Inflammatoires de l’extrait méthanolique brut et de fractions de feuilles de Alchornea cordifolia. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89, 19-24.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(03)00195-8

[7] Ajali, U. (2000) Activité antibactérienne d’ecorces de tige de Alchornea cordifolia. Fitotérapia, 4, 436-438.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(00)00131-3

[8] Mustofa Valentin, A., Benoit-Vical, F., Pelissier, Y., Kone-Bamba, D. and Malli, M. (2000) Activité d’Antiplasmodiale des extraits d’usines utilisés dans la médecine traditionnelle Africaine occidentale. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 73, 145-151.

[9] Kerharo, J. and Bouquet, A. (1950) Plantes médicinales et toxique de la côte d’Ivoire. Haute Volta, Edition Vigot, 67.

[10] Abbiw, D.K. (1990) Useful Plants of Ghana, Royal Botanique Garden. Kew Edition, 126-247.

[11] WHO (1998) Guinelines for the Appropriate Use of Herbal medecines. Regional Office for Western Pacific, Manila, 65.

[12] Kazerooni, T., Mousavizadeh, K., Abdollahee, A., Sarkarian, M. and Sattar, A. (2006) Abortifacient Effect of Prangos ferulacia on Pregnant Rats. Contraception, 73, 554-556.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2005.11.001

[13] Koneri, R., Saraswati, C.D., Balaraman, R. and Ajeesha, E.A. (2007) Antiimplantation Activity of the Ethanolic Root Extract of Momordica cymbalaria Fenzl in Rats. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 39, 90-96.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.32527

[14] Goonasekera, M.M., Gunawardana, V.K., Jayasena, K., Mohammed, S.G. and Balasubramaniam, S. (1995) Pregnancy Terminating Effect of Jatrophacurcas in Rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 47, 117-123.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(95)01263-D

[15] Yakubu, M.T., Olawepo, O.J. and Fasoranti, G.A. (2011) Ananascomosus: Is the Unripe Fruit Juice an Abortifacient in Pregnant Wistar Rats? The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care, 16, 397-402.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13625187.2011.599454

[16] Vaissaire, J.P. (1977) Appareil génital Femelle. In: Vaissaire, J.P., Ed., Sexualité et reproduction des Mammifères domestiques et de laboratoires, Maloine S.A., Paris, 23-51.

[17] Goonasekera, M.M., Gunawardana, V.K., Jayasena, K., Mohammed, S.G. and Balasubramaniam, S. (1995) Pregnancy Terminating Effect of Jatropha curcas in Rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 47, 117-123.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(95)01263-D

[18] Elbetieha, A., Oran, S.A., Alkofahi, A., Darmani, H. and Raies, A.M. (2000) Fetotoxic Potentials of Globularia arabica and Globularia alypum (Globulariaceae) in Rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72, 215-219.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00246-4

[19] Chen, Q., Zhang, Y., Lu, J., Wang, Q., Wang, S. and Cao, Y. (2009) Embryo-Uterine Cross-Talk during Implantation: The Role of Wnt Signaling. Molecular Human Reproduction, 15, 215-221.

[20] Elderfied, R.C. (1980) Biographical Memoir for Walter Abraham Jacobs, 51. National Academy of Science, Washington DC, 247-278.

[21] Spencer, T.E., Johnson, G.A., Burghardt, R.C. and Bazer, F.W. (2004) Progesterone and Placental Hormone Actions on the Uterus: Insights from Domestic Animals. Biology of Reproduction, 71, 2-10.

[22] Yakubu, M.T. and Bukoye, B.B. (2009) Abortifacient Potential of the Aqueous Extract of Bambusa vulgaris Leaves in Pregnant Dutch Rabbits. Contraception, 80, 308-313.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2009.03.003

[23] Azadeh, M., Maryam, P., Mozafar, K. and Rostam, G. (2007) Anti-Fertility Effects of Physalis alkekengi Alcoholic Extract in Female Rat. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 5, 13-16.

[24] Hiremath, S.P. and Harumantha, R.S. (1990) Antifertility Activity of Striga lutea (Scrophulariaceae) on Rats. Contraception, 42, 466-477.

[25] Adams, N.R. (1977) Morphological Changes in the Organs of Ewes Grazing Oestrogenic Subterranean Clover. Research in Veterinary Science, 22, 216-221.

[26] El-Samannoudy, F.A., Shareha, A.M., Ghannudi, S.A., Gillaly, G.A. and El-Mougy, S.A. (1980) Adverse Effects of Phytoestrogens—7. Effect of β-Sitosterol Treatment on Follicular Development, Ovarian Structure and Uterus in the Immature Female Sheep. Cellular and Molecular Biology, 26, 255-266.

[27] Adams, N.R. (1995) Detection of the Effects of Phytoestrogens on Sheep and Cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 73, 1509-1515.

[28] Hiremath, S.P., Rudresh, K., Badami, S., Patil, S.B. and Patil, R.S. (1999) Post-Coital Antifertility Activity of Acalypha indica L. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 67, 253-258.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00213-X

[29] Ravichandra, V., Suresh, B., Satishkumar, M.N., Elango, K. and Srinivasan, R. (2007) Antifertility Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb): An Ethno Medicine Used by Tribes of Nilgiris Region in Tamilnadu. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 112, 189-191.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.024

[30] Zanwar, A.A., Aswar, U.M., Hegde, M.V. and Bodhankar, S.L. (2010) Estrogenic and Embryo-Fetotoxic Effects of Ethanol Extract of Linum usitatissimum in Rats. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 7, 1-17.

[31] Uchendu, C.N., Kamalu, T.N. and Asuzu, I.U. (2000) A Preliminary Evaluation of Antifertility Activity of a Triterpenoid Glycoside (DSS) from Dalbergia saxatilis in Female Wistar Rats. Pharmacological Research, 41, 521-525.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/phrs.1999.0615

[32] Koneri, R., Saraswati, C.D., Balaraman, R. and Ajeesha, E.A. (2007) Antiimplantation Activity of the Ethanolic Root Extract of Momordica cymbalaria Fenzl in Rats. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 39, 90-96.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0253-7613.32527