Effect of Hippocratea Obtusifolia Extracts on Lactation Inducement

Abstract

The crude extract of the leaves and stalk of Hippocratea obtusifolia (commonly known as gwadayi in Hausa) was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The extracts were subjected to bioactivity testing against lactation inducement in 24 female guinea pigs. The experimental animals with average weight of 200g were randomly grouped into six; the first five groups A, B, C, D and E were force-fed with feeds mixed with a measured portion of the extract, while the last group was force-fed with food mixed with distilled water only serving as control. The chloroform extract was found to be the only active extract, and this confirms the use of Hippocratea obtusifolia in lactation inducement.

Keywords: Lactation, Hippocratea obtusifolia, force-fed, galactagogue, endogastric tube