Abstract

GESTATIONAL OUTCOME IN RATS: AQUEOUS BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM LEAF EXTRACTS VS. SALBUTAMOL ADMINISTRATION

*J.S. Aprioku

Abstract

Bryophyllum pinnatum Linn. is a perenial herb used extensively in folkloric medicine. The plant has been demonstrated to possess several pharmacological properties, including tocolytic activity. The present study investigates the effects of aqueous B. pinnatum leaf extracts (AqBP) and salbutamol, a β receptor agonist, on gestational outcome in Wistar albino rats. Pregnant rats were given AqBP (62.5 or 125 mg/kg), salbutamol (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle (distilled water) by oral gavage from gestational day 10 until delivery. Maternal weights, length of gestation, and characteristics of delivered litters (number, weight and external appearance) were registered. Maternal weight gain was inhibited significantly (p0.05) effect on length of gestation, and also on number and external morphology of litters delivered. Furthermore, while salbutamol and the lower dose of B. pinnatum (62.5 mg/kg) caused no significant (p>0.05) effect, the higher dose of AqBP (125 mg/kg) decreased birth weight of litters. The results indicate that low dose levels of AqBP and salbutamol may not negatively affect pregnancy outcome, but the plant may adversely affect pregnancy outcome at high dose levels in the rat.

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