Oxytocic effect of Ananas comosus fruit juice on isolated pregnant rats uteri

Abstract

This work sought to find out whether Ananas comosus (pineapple) juice can cause abortion in gravid albino rats. Thirty two pregnant albino rats were used in two separate in vivo experiments. The first set of 16 pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups and groups 2, 3 and 4 were assigned undiluted pineapple juice for 24hrs, 36hrs, 48hrs respectively, while group 1 served as control. The pregnant rats were monitored closely for possible abortions till they littered. The procedure was repeated with the other set of 16 pregnant rats. The effect of the juice was also determined on an isolated pregnant rat uterus. Results obtained in the two separate in vivo trials showed no abortions as the rats had their young ones at term. In the in vitro work, the juice however induced strong uterine contractions similar to that of oxytocin. The results therefore suggest that Ananas comosus juice contain some active ingredients with uterine contractile effects which may cause abortion in the same manner as oxytocin but may have been metabolized after oral administration.

Keywords: Ananas comosus, Abortion, Albino rats, Oxytocin