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Comparison of the Metabolic Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Ancistrophyllum Secundiflorum and Menstrogen in the
Abstract
Objective: To compare the effects of mid-gestational oral administration of ethanolic extract of Ancistrophyllum secundiflorum (EAS), a herbal contraceptive and pharmacological dose of menstrogen (orthodox contraceptive) on metabolic parameters in pregnant rabbits.
Methods: Extract of Ancistrophyllum secondiflorum (EAS) was obtained by soxhlet extraction of dried, powdered, stem bark samples under reflux with 85% ethanol and concentration by rotatory evaporation under vacuum.
Plant Extract (EAS) (dose 75mg/kg body wt) and menstrogen (10mg/kg body wt) were administered orally by stomach tubes, for 7 days to separate groups, of 5 pregnant rabbits per group at mid-gestation from Day 15-21. The control group received no drug. Test and control rabbits were sacrificed after an 18-hour fast before the end of gestation. Blood serum samples were collected from test and control rabbits and analyzed for albumin, total proteins, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels by standard methods.
Results indicated a lowering of fasting serum triglycerides and a significant elevation of blood serum albumin, total protein and serum cholesterol levels in rabbit fed EAS compared to both menstrogen and control groups.
Conclusion: Results suggest that ethanolic extract of ancistrophyllum secundiflorum is abortifacient and hypercholestrolaemic.
Key words: Herbal Contraceptives, Metabolic Effects.
[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 117-120
Methods: Extract of Ancistrophyllum secondiflorum (EAS) was obtained by soxhlet extraction of dried, powdered, stem bark samples under reflux with 85% ethanol and concentration by rotatory evaporation under vacuum.
Plant Extract (EAS) (dose 75mg/kg body wt) and menstrogen (10mg/kg body wt) were administered orally by stomach tubes, for 7 days to separate groups, of 5 pregnant rabbits per group at mid-gestation from Day 15-21. The control group received no drug. Test and control rabbits were sacrificed after an 18-hour fast before the end of gestation. Blood serum samples were collected from test and control rabbits and analyzed for albumin, total proteins, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels by standard methods.
Results indicated a lowering of fasting serum triglycerides and a significant elevation of blood serum albumin, total protein and serum cholesterol levels in rabbit fed EAS compared to both menstrogen and control groups.
Conclusion: Results suggest that ethanolic extract of ancistrophyllum secundiflorum is abortifacient and hypercholestrolaemic.
Key words: Herbal Contraceptives, Metabolic Effects.
[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2002: 117-120
