Phytochemical characteristic and uterotonic effect of aqueous extract of Ficus dltoidea leaves in Rats uterus

Abstract

Ficus deltoidea is traditionally consumed by Malay woman to augment labour and hastening parturition. This study was to investigate the phytochemical present and uterotonic activity of F. deltoidea var. Deltoidea (FDD) and F. deltoidea var. Angustifolia (FDA) leaves aqueous extract. FDD and FDA were qualitatively analysed. In uterine contraction activity, adult female Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with 0.2 mg kg-1 diethylstilbestrol 24 h to induce oestrus phase. The rats then killed and uterine horns were taken out, cut into two centimetres length and put into organ bath that connected to Powerlab instrument. The uterus separately tested with cumulative concentrations of FDD (10-1280 jagmL1), FDA (10-1280 jag mL1), oxytocin (0.02-0.64 jag mL1) and combination of oxytocin (0.08 jag mL1) with FDD and FDA (10-1280 jag mL1). FDD showed presence of flavonoid, saponin and tannin meanwhile FDA consist of flavonoid, tannin and terpenoid. Result showed FDD, FDA and oxytocin induced a dose-related increase in force of contraction of isolated rat uterus. The maximum uterine contraction (Emax) produced by FDD, FDA and oxytocin were at the concentration 640 jag mL1 (EC50, 5.903±0.529 jag mL), 20 jag mL1 (EC50, 290.5±0.158 jag mL1) and 0.4 jag mL1 (EC50, 0.060±0.011 jag mL-1) respectively. Combination effects of oxytocin with FDD and FDA produced Emax at the concentration 80 jag mL1 (EC50, 270.3±0.643 jag mL1) and 1280 jag mL1 (EC50, 26.83±0.727 jag mL1), respectively. Study indicated F. deltoidea possess contractile effect on uterine contraction. This plant has great potential to develop as natural uterotonic agent in inducing labour and treatment for post-partum haemorrhage. © 2014 Asian Network for Scientific Information.