Hyperprolactin Activity of Aqueous Extract of Xylopia aethiopica on Female Wister Albino Rats Anacletus F.C., Nwauche, God Kelechi Thank*, Wopara, Iheanyichukwu Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria *Address for correspondence: Kelechi Thank God, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria, E-mail: nwauchekelechi@gmail.com
Online published on 29 October, 2015. Abstract This study investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica on the reproductive hormone (prolactin) of female Wistar albino rats. Fifteen (15) female Wistar albino rats weighing 125g-150g were randomly divided into three (3) groups of five (5) rats per group. The first group (group 1) served as control (untreated group) and received distilled water while the other two groups were administered (oral) with hot aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg body weight respectively for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the blood samples were collected to determine the reproductive hormone (prolactin) level. Results showed that there was significant increase (p<0.05) in the prolactin level of group 2 (20.00±15.00) ng/ml and group 3 (22.50±17.50) ng/ml of the treated rats when compared to the normal control group (6.00±1.00). These results confirm the traditional believe that the plant Xylopia aethiopica stimulates lactogenesis (milk production after giving birth). It therefore suggests that the prolactin level induced by this plant can suppress the ovulatory cycle and contribute to many factors inhibiting pregnancy at early stage of birth. Top Keywords Xylopia aethiopica, reproductive hormone, prolactin, lactogenesis. Top |