MODULATION OF UTERINE CONTRACTILITY IN THE ISOLATED MOUSE UTERUS BY THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF TALINUM TRIANGULARE (PORTULACEAE) AND INVESTIGATION OF SIGNIFICANT SECONDARY METABOLITES
Bafor EE1*, Okpilolo O1, Elvis-Offiah UB2, Omoruyi O1, Onaghino P1, Viegelmann C3, Edrada-Ebel R3
1.Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Nigeria
2.Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, Nigeria
3.Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow, UK
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 8(2): 122-134 ; Nov/Dec 2016
ABSTRACT
Talinum triangulare is used by some traditional healers to manage preterm labour and prevent preterm birth. The effect of T. triangulare on uterine contractility is so far unknown. This study was therefore aimed at: the investigation of the pharmacological and physiological effect of T. triangulare leaf extract (MTT) on the isolated mouse uterus; investigation of possible mechanisms of activity and identification of significant metabolites present in the leaves. Longitudinal uterine segments from non-pregnant mice were isolated and mounted in a continuously aerated organ bath containing physiological salt solution and maintained at 37°C. The effect of MTT (0.0007 -7.777 μg/ml) on spontaneous contractions, 11.82 nM oxytocin, and 40 mM KCl was investigated. Additionally, MTT (3.43 mg/ml) in the presence of 95.34 nM amiodarone, 5.06 nM glibenclamide and 11.57 nM propranolol was investigated. High resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) analysis was performed on MTT. MTT exerted a biphasic effect on spontaneous uterine contractility, with low concentrations inhibiting and high concentrations stimulating contraction. MTT also increased oxytocin and KCl-induced contraction. The effect on oxytocin was reduced in the presence of amiodarone but not glibenclamide or propranolol. HRMS identified high levels of oestrogenic compounds which may play a role in the activity of the plant on female reproductive health.
KEYWORDS: Talinum triangulare; uterus; oxytocin
*Corresponding Author: enitome.bafor@uniben.edu