The Protective Effect of Ethanol Extract of the Stem Bark of Tamarindus indica L. on Mifepristone-induced Threatened Miscarriage in Female Wistar Rats.
Fabian Chukwugozie Amaechina , Jeremiah Oghenefejiro Eguriase.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin.
| Key words:
Threatened miscarriage, Tamarindus indica, rats, mifepristone, pregnancy.
*Corresponding Author: amaefabs@uniben.edu
Page No: 218-226
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AbstractThreatened miscarriage, characterized by vaginal bleeding before 20 weeks of gestation, affects up to 25% of pregnancies and often results in pregnancy loss. Current treatment options remain limited, with insufficient empirical evidence supporting their efficacy and concerns about adverse effects. This study evaluated the miscarriage protective effect of ethanol extract of the stem bark of Tamarindus indica in female Wistar rats. Mifepristone (50 mg/kg) (dose) was used to induce threatened miscarriage in rats. Groups of rats were administered graded doses of the extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), and parameters including duration and volume of uterine bleeding, pregnancy outcomes, litter size, and litter weight were assessed. The extract significantly reduced uterine bleeding in a dose-dependent manner, with 400 mg/kg showing optimal efficacy. In early gestation, bleeding duration and volume decreased from 3.8 ± 0.3 days and 3.5 ± 0.4 mL in the mifepristone group to 1.1 ± 0.2 days and 0.8 ± 0.1 mL in the extract (400 mg/kg) treatment group. In mid-gestation, values decreased from 4.8 ± 0.4 days and 5.0 ± 0.5 mL to 2.0 ± 0.3 days and 2.1 ± 0.3 mL in the extract (400 mg/kg) group. At 400 mg/kg, the extract achieved 75% pregnancy success, with mean litter size of 8.3 ± 1.1 and mean litter weight of 5.5 ± 0.3. Ethanol extract of Tamarindus indica stem bark demonstrated protective effects against mifepristone-induced miscarriage in Wistar rats, sustaining pregnancy to term with favorable outcomes. |