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ABSTRACT
Xylopia aethiopica is a common plant in West Africa, with wide application Several reports have demonstrated that Ethiopian pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) is being widely used by women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period (Yin et al., 2019). However, the scientific basis for its trado-medical use in maternal health is yet to be fully clarified. To fill this gap in knowledge, this study was investigated the effect of aqueous and oil extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruit on the reproductive hormones in pregnant female Wistar rats. Method twenty one pregnant female Wistar rats weighing 154-187g. the rats were divided into seven groups (n=7) Group 1: received only pelleted fed and distilled water, Group 2: received 0.25ml/kg oil orally, Group 3: received 0.5ml/kg oil orally, Group 4: received 1ml/kg oil orally, Group 5: received 250mg/kg aqueous orally, Group 6: received 500mg/kg aqueous orally, and Group 7: received 1000mg/kg aqueous orally. Were administered the aqueous and oil extracts for 14 days, 24 hours after the last dosage was given to the rats they were sacrificed by using chloroform anesthesia prior. Blood sample was collected via cardiac puncture for hormonal assay. The ovaries and uterus was harvested for histology. The data was analyzed using ANOVA, and the difference in mean value were considered significant at p<0.05. Results there was a significant (p<0.05) increase the body weight of the rats when compared with control. There was significant (P<0.05) increase seen in the level of blood LH 0.50ml/kg oil, 250mg/kg and 1000mg/kg (low and high dose aqueous extract) when compared to control. study revealed that there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in animals treated with 250mg/kg oil, and a significant (P<0.05) decreased in level of progesterone in blood when treated with 1.0ml/kg oil, when compared with control. this study revealed a significant (P<0.05) increase blood level of estrogen with rats administered 0.25ml/kg (low dose oil). This study revealed that the plant extract of xylopia aethiopica fruit (oil and aqueous extract) could affect a female’s reproductive cycle at the second trimester.
