Contraceptive Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A.Rich. Fruit in  Female Sprague Dawley Rats

Babatunde Ebenezer Ajayi; Yetunde Adesola Odueke; Favour Marian Ibrahim; Macdonald Ighodaro; Janet Titilayo Bamgbose

doi:10.18502/tim.v8i4.14484

Babatunde Ebenezer Ajayi Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Hallmark University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Yetunde Adesola Odueke Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Hallmark University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Favour Marian Ibrahim Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Hallmark University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Macdonald Ighodaro Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Lead City University, Oyo State, Nigeria
Janet Titilayo Bamgbose Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Hallmark University, Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v8i4.14484

Keywords: Xylopia aethiopica; Herbal contraceptives; Ethinyl estradiol; Levonorgestrel

Abstract

Globally, herbal contraceptives remain a viable option for women in rural settlements with unmet contraceptive needs. Pharmacological reports of the male contraceptive potential of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A.Rich. fruit exist in literature, but there is a paucity of information on its female contraceptive potential. This study evaluated the efficacy of aqueous extract of X. aethiopica fruit (AEXAF) as a reversible contraceptive remedy in female Sprague Dawley rats against a combined oral contraceptive drug containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (COC-EEL). AEXAF was obtained by boiling air-dried pulverized fruit samples in water for 15 minutes. Phytochemical screening of AEXAF was carried out. Mature female rats (30) were assigned into six groups, five per group, with ±20 g weight difference within each group. Group A received water; Groups B, C, D and E received 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg/B.W. doses of AEXAF, respectively; Group F received 3.6 µg/kg/B.W. dose of COC-EEL. COC-EEL and AEXAF were administered orally, once daily, for 21 days. After 14 days of treatment, mature male rats were introduced to the females, two males per group, for 7 days. Litter size was recorded after delivery. Rats that did not produce pups were immediately re-introduced to male rats for 7 days and sacrificed after another 7 days; the number of fetuses in their uteri was determined. The data obtained was analyzed using Unpaired-t test. Phytochemical screening of AEXAF revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. High contraceptive efficacy (80%) with 100% reversibility was observed at 50 and 300 mg/kg/B.W. doses of AEXAF; whereas COC-EEL showed 60% efficacy and 100% reversibility. The 100 and 200 mg/kg/B.W. doses of AEXAF did not protect against conception. X. aethiopica possesses contraceptive potential worthy of further scientific consideration.