Assessment of Chrysophyllum albidum Extracts for Abortifacient Activities in Adult Female Rats: In vitro and in vivo Investigations

Abstract

Background/Aim: Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) fruit is widely consumed by pregnant women in Nigeria. In this study, the effects of extracts prepared from its epicarp, mesocarp and seed endosperm on rat’s uterine smooth muscles were investigated (In vitro and In vivo). Methods: In the In vitro study, about 3 cm length of the uterine horn was isolated from a stunned adult female rat pretreated with stilboesterol (0.1 mg/kg i.p) 24 hours earlier and was suspended vertically in a 30 ml organ bath containing De Jalon’s solution and continuously bubbled with air. After equilibration and recording basal contractions, responses to the extracts, oxytocin and acetylcholine were established. The effects of salbutamol on responses due to the extracts and oxytocin were also investigated and recorded. For each drug application, a minimum time of 1 minute was allowed for response before washing. The in vivo study was carried out on 12 pregnant rats assigned to 4 groups of 3 rats each. Pregnant rats in group 1 were given no treatment and served as control but those in groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered 800 mg/kg body weight of the epicarp, mesocarp and seed endosperm extracts respectively (orally and daily for 3 days). These rats were all sacrificed in a further 10 days to check for arborted fetuses and resorped embryos. Results: Results obtained showed that uterine contraction elicited by extracts from the epicarp and mesocarp was insignificant but those elicited by the seed endosperm was highly significant and compared favourably with that of oxytocin. Pre-incubation of the tissue in salbutamol also significantly inhibited the contractile effects of the extract (p<0.01). In vivo study, extracts from the epicarp and mesocarp caused no abortion in the pregnant rats. However, the seed endosperm at 800 mg/kg did, as a number of resorped embryos were observed. Conclusion: Chrysophyllum albidum fruit may be safe for consumption during pregnancy but the seed endosperm has demonstrated significant abortifacient activity and as such may be avoided during gestation but may be used for uterotonic purpose.