A COMPARISION OF THE EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF MUSANGA CECROPIOIDIS ON SERUM LIPIDS TO THAT OF COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE-NEOGYNON-ED FE IN FEMALE RATS.

Abstract

Effects of the Water (MCW), Ethanolic (MCE) and Acetylated Ethanolic (MCA) extracts of the budsheath of Musanga cecrepioidis (Cecropiaceae) administered into mature female Sprague Dawley rats were compared with those of the synthetic low-dose combined oral contraceptive-Neogynon Ed Fe (C.O.C-N). All the three extracts of Musanga cecrepioidis elicited a significant (P<0.01) increase in fasting serum triglycerides concentration after 27-day administration. The increase was dose-dependent for MCE compared to controls. All the three extracts caused a non-dose dependent reduction in serum cholesterol levels of treated rats compared to controls. A similar pattern was observed in rats treated with C.O.C-N. There was however, no significant alteration in blood serum inorganic phosphate levels in all treated rats. Results suggest a mimic of a state of psuedopregnancy associated with synthetic oral contraceptive drugs. It is concluded that extracts of Musanga cecrepioidis caused elevation of blood serum triglycerides concentration and depression of serum cholesterol levels in the mature female rat.


Key Words: Musanga cecrepioidis, Cecropiaceae, oral contraceptives, serum lipids.


Nig. J. Nat Prod. And Med. Vol.4 2000: 52-56