The uterotonic screening of calyx extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa on estrogenized isolated Uterus of Wister strain albino rats

Ogundeko Timothy Olugbenga 1, *, Osagie Ize Anuoluwapo 2, Bitrus James 3, Okoye Nkiruka Philomena 1, Ogbole Emmanuel Anebi 1, Edugbe Adikpe Emmanuel 3, Abobarin Olufunmilayo Ibiyemi 4, Moritiwon Olusayo 4, 5, Ramyil Mamzhi Seljul Crown 6 and Bassi Amos Paul 2

1 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus Nigeria.
2 Department of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus Nigeria.
3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus Nigeria.
4 Department of Histopathology & Morbid Anatomy, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, Jos Campus Nigeria.
5 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
6 Department of Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Bingham University, , Jos Campus Nigeria.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Frontiers in Biology and Pharmacy Research, 2022, 03(01), 037–045.
Article DOI: 10.53294/ijfbpr.2022.3.1.0054
Publication history: 
Received on 18 July 2022; revised on 23 August 2022; accepted on 25 August 2022
 
Abstract: 
The claim of the use of orally consumed concentrated Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx preparation for the purpose of abortion in view of its widely uses as a beverage in the present period of economic hardship where it is a preferred beverage due to its affordability, naturalness and for its numerous medicinal properties has posed another element of concern to the female folks. This study was aimed to screen extracts of H. sabdariffa calyx of its acclaimed uterotonic activity. Contractile responses of estrogenized isolated rat uterus using various volumes (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0,1.6 ml) were established with oxytocin (1x10-4 g/ml), ergometrine (1x10-4 g/ml), misoprostol (1x10-4 g/ml), Acetylcholine (1x10-3 g/ml) and five different extracts of H. sabdariffa - ethanol (2.0x10-3 g/ml), methanol (2.0x10-3 g/ml), acetone (2.0x10-3 g/ml), cold water (2.0x10-3 g/ml) and hot water (2.0x10-3 g/ml). After these, nifedipine, acetylcholine and salbutamol were used to challenge the maximal responses of the isolated uterine tissue to oxytocin, acetylcholine and the cold aqueous extract of H. sabdariffa (CWEHs). The CWEHs was equally potent at inducing contraction activity compared to the standard drugs. This study further shows reduction in the amplitude of contraction produced by CWEHs in the presence of Promethazine (1×10−6 g/ml) and Nifedipine (1×10−6 g/ml). The blockade is more pronounced in promethazine compared to Nifedipine. Aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx possess uterotonic activity on estrogenized isolated rat uterine muscle with mechanism of action related to histamine receptors and contraction of the myometrial cells as the was antagonized by promethazine and Nifedipine. This could be a justification for its alarming use as an abortifacient.
 
Keywords: 
Abortifacient; Uterotonic; Hibiscus sabdariffa; Caution; Beverage; Cold water
 
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