Abstract:
Background: Previously, folk claims of P. fruticosa were ascertained pharmacologically;
and its safety studied, but its effect/safety on female reproductive system remained
unknown.
Objective: The study assessed P. fruticosa leaf extract (PFE) on follicular development in
non-pregnant rats; implantation and post-implantation loss in pregnant rats.
Methods: The study used healthy adult non-pregnant and pregnant female and male
Wistar rats (150–200 g). Non-pregnant rats were randomly assigned to five groups: nor-
mal saline (5 ml/kg po), clomiphene citrate (CL) (50 mg/kg po), and PFE (100, 200, and
500 mg/kg po) and treated once daily for 21 days. Dams were sacrificed under deep
anesthesia on day 22. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to measure
serum estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Uterus and ovary were histologically assessed. Dams were co-habited with fertile males
for 1 week; confirmed day 1 pregnant rats were randomly re-assigned to five groups with
misoprostol (200 mg/kg) as reference and treated once daily for 15 days. Implantation
and post-implantation loss were assessed (6 and 15 gestations).
Results: PFE and CL increased follicular development at the primordial and primary folli-
cle stages compared to control. PFE improved uterine musculature compared to control.
PFE decreased serum FSH, but increased (P < 0.05) serum estrogen and LH compared
to control. PFE increased gravid uterine weight compared to control. Total implantation
sites were comparable across all groups. Misoprostol and PFE (500 mg/kg) produced
post-implantation loss compared to control.
Conclusion: PFE (≤100 mg/kg) improved follicular development in non-pregnant rats,
but pose risk of post-implantation loss in pregnant rats at ≥500 mg/kg.
