Contraceptive Potentials of Alstonia boonei via Stimulation of Increased Prolactin Synthesis in Experimental Female Wistar Rats

Egba, Simeon Ikechukwu1; Okonkwo, Chibuzor Onyinye2; Ogbodo, John Onyebuchi3; Eme,Dike1

  1. Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State.
  2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria.
  3. Department of Science Laboratory Technology University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

 

Key words:

Alstonia boonei, fertility, hormones,  progesterone, menstruation.

 

 

 

 

*Corresponding author:

john.ogbodo@unn.edu.ng

 

 

 

 

Page No.: 43-50
Volume: 1, Issue 1, 2020
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of methanol leaf extract of Alstonia boonei on the reproductive hormones of females. Adult female albino rats were randomly grouped into three groups of four rats each. Group 1 served as the control (feed and water only), group (2) received the standard drug Pregnancare (Vitabiotics) while group 3 was given the extract. The standard drug and extract used for this experiment were administered orally for three weeks. The hormones serum concentrations were determined by ELISA method. The results showed a non-significant (p > 0.05) increase in the serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol and luteinizing hormone and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentrations of progesterone and prolactin in the extract-treated group when compared with the control group. The results of this experiment show that this extract possesses positive effects on the female reproductive hormones and could be used in the management of primary ovarian failure, irregular menstruation and miscarriage.