Nworgu ZAM, Owolabi OJ, Amaechina FC Falodun A, and Ojo OD
Keywords: Cola hispida, rat uterus, tocolytic activity, leaves extract.
Abstract: The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cola hispida (Sterculiaceae) a medicinal plant used locally for the treatment of threatened abortion was screened for uterine activity. Isolated rat uteri from rats pre-treated with diethylstiboesterol were challenged with the extract to determine the activities of the extract on the uterus. The effect of the extract on oxytocin and acetycholine-induced contraction were also studied. The extract produced significant inhibition of spontaneous contraction of the uterus and also significantly inhibited both oxytocin and acetylcholine-induced contraction (P<0.05). This inhibition was dose–dependent. Doses less than 0.4 mg/ml {final bath concentration} of the extract had no observable inhibitory effect. Its relaxant activity was 60 and 50 % of the inhibitory effects produced by salbutamol (0.002 ?g/ml) and atropine (0.02 ?g/ml) on oxytocin and acetylcholine induced contractions respectively. It was thus concluded that the leaves of Cola hispida possesses tocolytic properties.
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