Uterotonic Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Lannea Acida in Wistar Rats: An in Vitro Study.
Abstract Background: Lannea acida (Anacardiaceae), commonly called Kikié in the Noun division (West-Cameroon), is a tree whose bark is used locally to solve difficult childbirth. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro uterotonic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of L. acida in female Wistar rats. Uterine strips isolated from female rats pretreated (48h) with oestradiol (5μg) were mounted in a single-organ bath containing a well aerated and thermostated De Jalon solution (37°C). The effects of L. acida extracts were recorded in a non-cumulative manner after application. The effect of the methanolic extract (the most active extract) was monitored in the presence of atosiban (a competitive antagonist of oxytocin receptors), atropine (a specific type 3 muscarinic receptor antagonist), nifedipine (an L-type calcium channel antagonist) and 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-ADB, a specific antagonist of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors type 1), and in calcium-free medium containing EGTA. Results: L. acidainduced uterine contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with the methanolic extract (1.506 ± 0.032 gf) being the most effective. Administration of atosiban (2 μmol/l), atropine (1 μmol/l), nifedipine (5 μmol), 2-APB (100 μmol), and calcium free medium containing EGTA (2 mmol) reduced the contractile effect of L. acida. Complete inhibition was observed with nifedipine, 2-APB, and calcium free medium containing EGTA.Conclusions: These results suggest that L. acida possesses an uterotonic effect mediated through oxytocin receptors with mobilization of extracellular calcium.