Modulation of ex-vivo uterine contraction by the methanol leaf extract of Alchornea laxiflora Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) and preliminary spectrometric identification of associated secondary metabolites

Abstract

Background: The leaves of Alchornea laxiflora are traditionally used in the south of Nigeria to prevent preterm births. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the activity of A. laxiflora on uterine contractility. Setting: The leaves of the plant were collected from forests in Egor, Benin City, Nigeria. Methods: The leaves were cleaned and extracted in methanol. The extract (0.005 mg/mL–3.5 mg/mL) was tested on spontaneous uterine contraction and on oxytocin-induced contraction in normal and Ca2+-free media. The plant extract (0.0035 mg/mL, 0.035 mg/mL, 0.35 mg/mL and 3.5 mg/mL) was tested on high KCl-induced uterine contractions (80 mM). The plant extract (3.5 mg/mL) was also studied in the presence of amiodarone and glibenclamide in separate experiments. Mass spectrometric analysis was additionally performed on the plant extract in order to identify significant secondary metabolites that may have contributed to the activity of the plant. Results: The plant extract inhibited spontaneous, oxytocin and high KCl-induced uterine contractions and also significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) oxytocin-induced uterine contraction in Ca2+-free medium. The plant extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) oxytocin’s amplitude in the presence of amiodarone and glibenclamide, respectively. Secondary metabolites belonging to classes of fatty acids, glycols, terpenes, flavonoid glycosides and porphyrins were identified. Conclusion: Alchornea laxiflora inhibited mouse uterine contractility possibly through interaction with potassium and calcium channels. Of the known metabolites identified, 3-deoxy-arabino-hept-2-ulosonic acid, 17-hydroxyingenol and phaeophorbide-a methyl inhibit uterine contractility and may contribute to the activity of A. laxiflora in utero.

Tocolytic activity assessment of the methanol leaf extract of Justicia flava Vahl (Acanthaceae) on mouse myometrial contractility and preliminary mass spectrometric determination of secondary metabolites

“…The frequency of uterine contractions increases at the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and this is decreased at the luteal phase (Bulletti et al, 1993;Lyons et al, 1991). The cycle phase of the non-pregnant animals used in this study was the late follicular phase as well as the ovulation phase where the frequency of uterine contractions are about at their highest (Bafor et al, 2017b;Bulletti et al, 1993). The influx of Ca 2+ from both the intracellular and extracellular regions have been reported to play a primary role in spontaneous uterine contractions (Floyd and Wray, 2007;Shmigol et al, 1998;Wray et al, 2003).…”

Appraising the therapeutical potentials of Alchornea laxiflora (Benth.) Pax & K. Hoffm., an underexplored medicinal herb: A systematic review

“…In two distinct studies by Okokon et al (2017bOkokon et al ( , 2017a, two capsaicinoid alkaloids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) and one purine alkaloid called 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid were isolated from the leaves and roots of A. laxiflora. Bafor et al (2018) captured the porphine derivative pheophorbide A from the methanol A. laxiflora extract.…”

“…The extract significantly inhibited spontaneous, oxytocin, and potassium chloride-induced uterine contractions, possibly via calcium and potassium ions channel interaction. Furthermore, the authors also isolated three important bio-constituents, namely, 3-deoxy-arabino-hept-2-ulosonic acid, 17hydroxyingenol, and pheophorbide A, possibly contributing to the methanolic A. laxiflora extract activity (Bafor et al, 2018). Uhunmwangho et al (2016) studied the effect of the methanolic A. laxiflora leave extract on CCl 4 -induced reproductive toxicity.…”

“…In the Ekiti state of Nigeria, it is also known as Canestiks and Arithmetic stick ( Adeniran, 2015 ; Olanipekun and Aladetimiro (2017) ). Some local African names are Uwenuwen, Ukpo-ubieka, Uwenriotan (Edo), Ububo (Igbo), Ijan, Ijun, Ijan furfur, Ijàndú, Igiiya, Pepe, Ewe lya, Ewe pepe, iyapepe, Opoto, Gbogbonse (Yoruba), Nwariwa (Ibibio), Urievwu, Urie vivu (Urhobo), Fura amarya (Hausa), Vendakralesnoer (Afrikaans), mubvamalofha and murundamalofha (Tshivenḓa), Murarahomba and Muruka (Shona), Eholo (Bakossi), Nnami (Kimwera), Mechango (Bambalang), Josos (Bakweri), Meshé (Bamoun), and Akwukwo Ugba ( Njamen et al, 2013 ; Bafor et al, 2018 , 2015 ; Akinpelu et al, 2015 ; Gbadamosi, 2015 ; Okokon et al, 2017b ; Nwonu et al, 2018a ; Bamimore and Elujoba, 2018 ; Magwede et al, 2019 ; Oluyemi and Blessing, 2019 ).…”

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

“…Each uterine horn was suspended in a 50 mL organ bath containing the physiological salt at a controlled temperature of 37 and aerated with 5% CO 2 in O 2 . The methods used were similar to those described by Bafor et al (2018). The uterine strips were attached to an isometric force-displacement transducer coupled to a PowerLab and a LabChart 7 software (all from AD Instruments, New Zealand) that measured the uterine contractions.…”