How do Spondias mombin L (Anacardiaceae) leaves extract increase uterine smooth muscle contractions to facilitate child birth in parturient women?

Abstract

BackgroundSpondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves were used in Togolese folk to treat dystocia, expel placenta and manage post-partum hemorrhage during child birth.ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish how the extract of S. mombin leaves increase uterine smooth muscle contractions relevant to its traditional use to facilitate child birth.MethodsTests were performed on uterus muscle strips from Sprague-Dawley rats. Central portion of uterine horns were dissected, cleaned of surrounding fat and loose connective tissue, and cut longitudinally into strips which were placed in the organ bath for isometric tension record in presence of different substances.ResultsS. mombin leaves extract increased uterine spontaneous contractions. This effect was reduced by indomethacin (2 × 10-6 M), yohimbine (2 × 10-6 M) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) (5 × 10-5 M), but not by atropine (3.45 × 10-8 M) and cholesterol (2.5 mg/ml).ConclusionThe pharmacological justification for the traditional use of S. mombin leaves to treat dystocia and expel placenta was that its hydro-ethanolic extract induced prostaglandins release, α2-adrenoceptors stimulation, calcium release from internal stores and lifted inhibitory effect of cholesterol on uterine contractions in order to increase uterine smooth muscle contractions.

Uterine Contractile Activity and Abortifacient Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Euphorbia heterophylla L. Leaves in Albino Rats

“…The uterotonic activities of these standard agents and the pathways for contraction of the myometrium are well established (Arrowsmith and Wray, 2014;Jana et al, 2019). A variety of other medicinal plants have also shown uterotonic potential similar to the plant extract in this study: the fruits of Fiscus asperifolia (Watcho et al, 2011), rhizomes of Nymphaea alba (Bose et al, 2014), leaves of Spondias mombin (Pakoussi et al, 2018), roots of Azanza garckeana (Chanda et al, 2020), and leaf extract of Sida corymbosa (Bakut et al, 2020). The uterotonic potential of E. heterophylla has also been confirmed by Unekwe et al (2006), however the mechanism of action of the plant has been extensively explored in this present study.…”

Ethnopharmacology of Anacardiaceae R. Br. from Northeast Brazil

“…Although the S. mombin leaves was not recorded in this study, tests indicate antibacterial (BRITO et al, 2018c;WAMBA et al, 2018), antidiabetic (GOODIES et al, 2015, uterine contraction-inducing (PAKOUSSI et al, 2018) and antioxidants (OJO et al, 2018) from compounds extracted from this organ. This plant is frequently cited in the treatment of malaria in several indigenous groups in the Amazon (CARABALLO et al, 2004;RUIZ et al, 2011; and also in Africa (IDOWU et al, 2010;KOUDOUVO et al, 2011;TRAORÉ et al, 2013;YETEIN et al, 2013), and its phytochemistry has been extensively investigated, revealing terpenes, phenols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and sterols as important constituents of the various parts of this plant (HAMANO; MERCADANTE, 2001;VASCO et al, 2008;TIBURSKI et al, 2011;ASUQUO et al, 2013;LOURENÇO et al, 2018).…”

Hydrocotyle bonariensis Comm ex Lamm (Araliaceae) leaves extract inhibits IKs not IKr potassium currents: Potential implications for anti-arrhythmic therapy

“…The hydro-ethanolic extract was obtained by classical isolation and solubilization procedures (see supplementary). 13 …”