Ficus platyphylla promotes fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain: a preliminary study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ficus platyphylla </it>Delile (family- Moracea) commonly called gutta percha tree is a deciduous plant found in savannah areas. It grows widely in the Northern part of Nigeria, up to 60 ft. high and is known as 'gamji' by the Hausas. The seeds, bark and leaves have been used traditionally in combination to promote fertility. Scientifically, the plant has been shown to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and CNS effects. The present study was to validate the use of this plant to promote fertility in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain using various fertility parameters.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain weighing between 150-180 g were randomly selected and divided into two major groups. Each group was subdivided into 5 treatment groups of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg BW of aqueous extract of <it>F. platyphylla </it>and a control group of 5 ml/kg of distilled water. A positive control of clomiphene citrate was used. Treatment of the first group was discontinued after 15 days prior to mating (pre-mating treatment group), while the other was treated continuously till delivery (continuous treatment group). At the 10^thday, females were sacrificed and implantation sites were checked and embryos counted. Upon delivery, litter sizes were determined and the pups weighed and checked for deformities. Other reproductive indices were calculated. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and students T-test. Proportions were analysed by Chi square. Statistical evaluations were performed using STATS programs and Graphpad prism, and a difference was considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant reduction in the percentage post implantation losses of both the pre-treatment and the continuous treatment groups when compared to their distil water controls. The litter size of the pre-treatment group was similar to the distil water group while at 400 mg/kg, the continuous treatment group showed an increase in the litter size similar to that of the clomiphene group. There were no observed external deformities in the pups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Administration of aqueous extract of <it>F. platyphylla </it>promotes fertility by reducing post implantation loss and by increasing litter size in female Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain.</p

Anticonvulsant and sedative activities of aqueous leave extract of Leucas martinicensis (Jacq.) R. Br

Leucas martinicensis is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat convulsions and epilepsy. The present study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant and sedative effects of the aqueous leave extract of L. martinicensis in Wistar rats. The anticonvulsant activities of L. martinicensis (50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg i.p.) were evaluated using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) - and strychnine (STR) -induced seizure models while the sedative properties were evaluated using the diazepaminduced sleep model in Wistar rats. The 400 mg/kg of the extract protected rats (100%) against seizures in both models while at 200 mg/kg seizure protection (100%) was only in STR model. There was a significant (p&lt;0.05) delay in the onset and reduction in the duration of seizure in the two models in unprotected rats. L. martinicensis exerted sedative effect by significantly reducing the onset (sleep latency) and increasing the total duration of sleep induced by diazepam. These results suggest that aqueous extract of L. martinicensis may possess anticonvulsant and sedative properties that might show efficacy against primary generalised seizures and secondarily generalised tonic -clonic seizures in humans. It also lends pharmacological credence to the use of the plant in traditional medicine for the management of epilepsy and convulsions.Keywords: Leucas martinicensis; Epilepsy; Traditional medicine; Anticonvulsant; slee

Effect of aqueous extract of Ficus platyphylla on female Wistar rats with estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Ficus platyphylla on female Wistar rats with estradiol valerate (EV)-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS was induced in female Wistar rats with regular 4-5 day oestrus cycles via the intramuscular injection of 4 mg EV per rat in an oily solution. The rats were allowed 30 days to establish PCOS. Then, the animals were divided into five treatment groups. The positive control group received clomiphene citrate, the negative control group received distilled water and the other groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the aqueous extract. All groups were dosed for 15 days, except the positive control group, which was dosed for 5 days. On the 16th day, the animals were sacrificed. Hormonal assays and histological studies were then conducted. An elevated Luteinizing hormone (LH)-to- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio is typical in many women with PCOS. The extract-treated groups showed a lower LH/FSH ratio compared with both the positive and the negative control groups. The progesterone levels were higher in the extract-treated groups compared with the negative control group, indicating luteal phase repair. The influence of the extract on ovarian morphology in the EV-induced PCOS model showed a marked reversal of polycystic ovary. These data help validate the use of this extract in folk medicine for the treatment of infertility. Considering its apparent safety, this study paves the way for an efficacy study for its use in treatment of PCOS in humans

Effect of aqueous extract of Ficus platyphylla on female Wistar rats with estradiol valerate-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Ficus platyphylla on female Wistar rats with estradiol valerate (EV)-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS was induced in female Wistar rats with regular 4-5 day oestrus cycles via the intramuscular injection of 4 mg EV per rat in an oily solution. The rats were allowed 30 days to establish PCOS. Then, the animals were divided into five treatment groups. The positive control group received clomiphene citrate, the negative control group received distilled water and the other groups received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the aqueous extract. All groups were dosed for 15 days, except the positive control group, which was dosed for 5 days. On the 16th day, the animals were sacrificed. Hormonal assays and histological studies were then conducted. An elevated Luteinizing hormone (LH)-to- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio is typical in many women with PCOS. The extract-treated groups showed a lower LH/FSH ratio compared with both the positive and the negative control groups. The progesterone levels were higher in the extract-treated groups compared with the negative control group, indicating luteal phase repair. The influence of the extract on ovarian morphology in the EV-induced PCOS model showed a marked reversal of polycystic ovary. These data help validate the use of this extract in folk medicine for the treatment of infertility. Considering its apparent safety, this study paves the way for an efficacy study for its use in treatment of PCOS in humans