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Comparative Study
. 2006 Jun;6(2):81-5.
doi: 10.5555/afhs.2006.6.2.81.

Antifertility effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus in rats

Geremew Tafesse  1 , Yalemtsehay Mekonnen, Eyasu Makonnen
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Antifertility effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus in rats

Geremew Tafesse et al. Afr Health Sci. 2006 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Asparagus africanus is claimed to have use in reproductive related health problems in some areas of Ethiopia.

Objective: To study the potential antifertility effect of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus in rats.

Methods: Water and ethanol extracts were given by gavages to rats in the in vivo test at a dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight, and rat uterine tissue were used for the in vitro test at different concentrations.

Results: The aqueous extracts of the leaves and the roots showed an anti-implantation activity of 70% and 77%, respectively, while the ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots showed 48% and 61%, respectively. The antifertility activities of the aqueous and ethanol extracts were 40% (for leaves), 60% (for roots) and 20% (for leaves), 40% (for roots), respectively. All the extracts have resulted in significant (P< 0.05) reduction in the number of implants as compared with their respective controls. Each extract potentiated acetylcholine induced uterine contractions in a concentration dependent manner significantly (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that the leaves and roots of this plant may possess hormonal properties that can modulate the reproductive function of the experimental rats.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anti-implantation and antifertility Activities of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus. LE is ethanol extract of the leaf, RE is ethanol extract of the root, LW is aqueous extract of the leaf, RW is aqueous extract of the root
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mean % contraction of the uterus with actetylcholine in the presence of the water and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus as compared with that of acetylcholine alone. Vertical bars represent standard errors of the mean. LE is ethanol extract of the leaf, RE is ethanol extract of the root, LW is aqueous extract of the leaf, RW is aqueous extract of the root
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