F.C Amaechina

Preterm labor and miscarriages are reproductive complications that often require various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions such as bed rest, hormonal therapy and tocolytic agents. Various cultures have also exploited the use of herbs and some medicinal plants to manage these gynaecological problems. Phyllanthus amarus is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in the treatment of hypertension and also for its female health benefits. While Phyllanthus amarus has been reported to be used in ethno-medicine as an abortifacient agent, it has also been reported to have toxic in female reproductive health. This work investigated the effect of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus amarus on uterine smooth muscle reactivity, and on pregnancy outcome in female Wistar rats. The ethanol extract of Phyllantus amarus was prepared and tested using both in vivo and in vitro models. In the in vivo study, the female wistar rats were administered graded doses of the extract (6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) orally for 14 days and each groups were mated with two male wistar rats on the first day of administration. For the in-vitro study, isolated uterine tissues were used to evaluate the effect of the extract on spontaneous contraction of the uterus as well as oxytocin, and KCl-induced pre-contracted uterus. The extract produced a dose- dependent relaxation of uterine smooth muscle. The extract also had a positive outcome on conception in some treated groups, This study suggests that Phyllanthus amarus possesses utero-relaxant, and positive pregnancy oucomes in female wistar rats.