Contraceptive and Phytochemical Profile of Lime-Yellow Pea (Macrotyloma axillare, E. Mey) Verdc: A Tropical Climber
Journal Title: European Journal of Medicinal Plants - Year 2017, Vol 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Rising human population has detrimental effects on quality of life and lead to increased cases of pollution and poverty. Modern forms of contraceptives also have severe side effects and result in high cases of unwanted pregnancies. As a result, several cases of illegal abortion, leading to serious health complications have been reported, and more than 30 million US dollars are used to treat post-abortion complications in Kenya annually. Herbal contraceptives offer alternatives to health problems, and this study was novel with significant findings, since little information exists about the pharmacological properties of M. axillare, unlike its closely related species, M. uniflorum, which has been extensively studied and established to have great pharmacological potential. Aims: To establish and validate the use of M. axillare extracts as traditional contraceptives and also to profile the phytochemicals responsible for its contraceptive activity. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: The contraceptive effects were investigated by in vivo studies using Virgin Wistar female rats (Rattus norvegicus) with regular oestrus cycle. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical profiling was carried out using standard procedures while GC-MS analysis was employed in the identification of compounds present in the methanolic extracts. Results: Macroscopic and microscopic examination of female reproductive tract revealed reduced ovary size, involuted uterus and persistent corpus luteum in the ovary and no births were recorded in groups treated with higher doses of the plant extracts. The presence of saponins, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids, as well as phenolic compounds like tannins and flavonoids, which could be responsible for the contraceptive activity observed, either acting independently or synergistically, was confirmed through qualitative phytochemical analysis. GC-MS profile also led to the identification of compounds that included sitosterol, stigmasterol, stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one, stigmastan-3,5-diene and campesterol that have structural similarities to known reproductive hormones and conventional contraceptives and could, therefore, be responsible for the observed contraceptive activity of the plant extract. Conclusion: The tested methanolic extracts have a potential contraceptive activity that warrants further investigations towards the development of novel plant-based contraceptives.
Authors and Affiliations
Rechab S. Odhiambo, Patrick G. Kareru, Erastus K. Mwangi, Daniel W. Onyango
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP327076
- DOI 10.9734/EJMP/2017/33957
- Views 128
- Downloads 0
Effect of Harvest Time on Yield, Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Thymus vulgaris and Mentha pulegium Essential Oils
Aims: This work aims to study the effect of the harvest time (pre-flowering and full-flowering) on the yield, chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Thymus vulgaris and Mentha pulegium essentia...
Composition of Fatty Acids and Tocopherols Content in Oilseeds of Six Wild Selected Plants from Kahuzi-Biega National Park/DR. Congo
Objective: Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) in Democratic Republic of the Congo is packed with fantastic oilseed plants that need to be analysed in order to promote a sustainable exploitation for both commercial and foo...
Assessment of Dermal Irritation and Acute Toxicity Potential of Extracts from Synadenium glaucescens on Healthy Rabbits, Wistar Albino Rats and Albino Mice
Aim: This study was conceived for the purpose of evaluating dermal toxicity potentials of extracts from S. glaucescens which is known for many traditional application in human and animals including healing wounds, boils,...
Antioxidant Capacity of Phenolic from Seed Extracts of Lagenaria siceraria (Short-Hybrid Bottle Gourd)
Aims: To evaluate the antioxidant components and antioxidant activities of seed extracts of Lagenaria siceraria (Short-Hybrid Bottle Gourd). Study Design: In vitro assessment of antioxidant assays; quantitative determina...
In vitro Activity of Garlic (Allium sativum) on Some Pathogenic Fungi
Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro antifungal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) on some pathogenic fungi. Study Design: This is a comparative evaluation report on garlic as an antifungal agent....