Effect of ethanolic extract of Senecio biafrae on puberty onset and fertility in immature female rat.

Abstract

Senecio biafrae is a medicinal plant widely used by traditional healers in the western region of Cameroon for the treatment of woman infertility. In the course of the evaluation of its effect on puberty onset and some physiological parameters of fertility, different doses of its ethanolic extract were orally administered to immature female rats for 30 days. Body, ovarian, uterus weight; uterine, ovarian proteins or cholesterol level as well as data on puberty onset were recorded. A linear increase in the growth rate of all animal was observed throughout the experimental period. From the 27 th day till the end of treatment, the body weight gain of rats treated with 8 mg/kg was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to that of control animals. The age of animals at vaginal opening (VO) was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in those treated with the dose of 8 mg/kg (41.54 ± 0.50) compared to control animals (43.33 ± 0.73). Ovarian weight and uterine protein level of animals treated at 64 mg/kg significantly increased (p<0.05). A reduction in the number of corpora lutea with doses of 32 and 64 mg/kg as well as an increase in the resorption index with doses 8 and 64 mg/kg were also noticed. Overall, the present results provide evidence on the estrogenic effect of the ethanolic extract of Senecio biafrae leading to the acceleration of puberty onset in immature female rat.

Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Characterization of Senecio clivicolus Wedd.

“…The extraction yield showed a value of 27.06%, higher than other reports. In fact, it has been reported that the extraction yield of the aerial parts of other species of Senecio with 95% ethanol (yield of 5.60% in S. biafrae [ 26 ] and 12.57% in S. aegyptius [ 27 ], methanol (yield of 13.85% in S. gibbosus [ 28 ]) or water (yield of 13.60% in S. candicans [ 29 ]) was considerably lower than values obtained in this study.…”

Ethnopharmacological survey of plants used for the treatment of female infertility in Baham, Cameroon

“…Moreover, many clinical and pharmacological studies attest the efficiency of some of these plants in the treatment of female infertility. The estrogenic effect of Senecio biafrae and its inductive potential on the onset of puberty was demonstrated on immature female rats (Lienou et al, 2010). The FSH-like and anti-estrogenic effects of Eremomastax speciosa, its inductive effect on ovulation as well as its regularizing effect on the estrous cycle of female rats were proven (Lemfack, 2007;Ngoufack, 2009).…”

“…For example, the association of Senecio biafrae, Eremomastax speciosa and Ageratum conyzoides as they claimed is employed in women with menstrual disorders. In the mixture, Solanecio biafrae and Eremomastax speciosa could specifically act on the normalization of the menstrual cycle through the induction of ovarian folliculogenesis (Ngoufack, 2009;Lienou et al, 2010) and the great anti-microbial action of Ageratum conyzoides could help to fight any infection of the reproductive system. It is through this procedure that they may sometimes defeat the ailment.…”

Identification, characterization and quantification of chemical compounds in selected edible wild leafy vegetables

“…Senecio biafrae (Compositae) is known for its therapeutic virtues, notably in Nigeria where it is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Adebayo, 2009). Senecio biafrae leaves, "Worowo" (Yoruba), are used by traditional practitioners to treat infertility in women (Lienou et al, 2010), heart problems (Ayodele, 2005), as well as serve as antihypertensive (Olowokudejo et al, 2008). Hypolipidaemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidants properties of Launaea taraxacifolia ̀ (Asteraceae) plant, Ẹfó ̣ yánrin (Yoruba), have also been reported (Dansi et al, 2008;Obi, 2011;Arawande et al, 2013).…”