Evaluation Of Effects Of Asparagus Racemosus From Nakuru County, Kenya On Selected Female Reproductive Parameters Using Wistar Rat.

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a major gynecological problem among women of reproductive age globally. Asparagus racemosus is traditionally used to manage discomforts related to the female cycle. The effect of the plant on female reproductive parameters namely: mating success, gestation length, litter size, reproductive hormonal profiles and on myometrial quiescence was evaluated using female Wistar rats. Preliminary phytochemistry and acute oral toxicity studies were carried out. Thirty normal cyclic Wistar rats aged between 50-60 days were used for the study. Twenty rats were used to evaluate estrus cyclicity, mating success, gestation length, litter size and reproductive hormonal profiles. Ten rats were used for the in vitro studies on myometrial quiescence. Twenty rats were divided into 4 groups (5 animals each). Group I and II received 600 and 300 mg/kg bw Asparagus racemosus extract, group III, 20 mg/kg ibuprofen and group IV 0.5 ml physiological saline. The plant extract and drug were administered between 9-10 am through intra-abdominal gavage every other day for 14 days. Estrus cyclicity was monitored daily for two weeks between 9-10 am through vaginal smear microscopy. Approximately 0.5μl of blood was collected from all animals for hormone analysis using Raman spectroscopy. On the 14th day fertile males were introduced into female cages. Female rats were monitored thereafter for mating success. Gestation length and litter size was recorded for each pregnant rat. The effect of Asparagus racemosus and ibuprofen on isolated uterine strips was evaluated in non-pregnant animals using serial extract concentrations: (20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/ml). While positive control rats were exposed to 20 mg/ml ibuprofen. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, P values < 0.05 was considered significant. Asparagus racemosus was non-toxic to rats even at 5000 mg/kg (limit dose). Preliminary phytochemistry revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids. xiii Asparagus racemosus disrupted the estrus cycle with increased appearance frequency of proestrus and estrus phase. There was a significant increase of proestrus (P < 0.001) compared to the negative control and a subsequent significant reduction in metestrus (P < 0.01) and diestrus (P < 0.05). There was no adverse effect on mating and gestation length. However there was a significant difference in gestation length (P < 0.05) in treated groups compared to the positive control. The litter size was however non-significant compared to control. Asparagus racemosus caused a significant dose dependent disruption of FSH, LH, progesterone and estradiol levels (P < 0.0001). The force of uterine contraction was significantly decreased (-0.146%, -5.13%, -7.97%, -19.55 %) respectively (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0001) in non-pregnant uterine strips exposed to (20, 40, 80, 160 mg/ml) concentrations of Asparagus racemosus compared to Ibuprofen that caused a significant (P < 0.05) decline in uterine force of contraction (-13.38%). Frequency of uterine contraction was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced (-5.99%, -9.61%, -16.76%, -25.21%) respectively when uterine tissue was exposed to (20, 40, 80, 160 mg/ml) Asparagus racemosus extract compared to ibuprofen (-15.78%). In conclusion, 160 mg/ml Asparagus racemosus extract caused almost similar reduction in frequency and force of uterine contraction compared to Ibuprofen (positive control). Asparagus racemosus extract also has positive effects on other reproductive indices. This study therefore recommends phytochemical isolation using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique and docking to determine the analgesic component of the plant.