Abstract
Background: Emilia coccinea is a source of naturally occurring plant compounds, used traditionally in the treatment of reproductive disorders and prevention of conception. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents in the leaf, and evaluate the proximate parameters and effects that the extract and fractions will have on the uterine contractility of adult non-pregnant female mice.
Methods: The phytochemical constituents were evaluated using standard methods and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), proximate analysis was determined by the method described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists while the spontaneous uterine contractility was determined by measuring the concentration-responses relationship following the administration of the extract and fractions.
Results: Phytochemical screening revealed flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, and steroids, while GC-MS analysis identified forty-four compounds, belonging to different classes of phytochemicals. Some of these compounds are 2-nonynoic acid; 2,5-cyclooctaden-1-one; 2-myristynoylglycinamide; 1,9-decadiyne; 2-methyl-2-oxiranylcyclobutanone; N, N-di-2-propynyl-2-propyn-1-amine; formic acid hydrazide and 6-(1-pyrolidinyl)furazano[3,4-6]pyrazin-5(4H)-one. Proximate analysis gave the moisture content (10.24±0.09) %, ash value (7.65±0.41) %, crude fibre content (10.38±0.38) %, crude protein content (5.07±0.09) % and total fat content (4.39±0.57) %. The methanol extract and dichloromethane fraction significantly decrease the amplitude and frequency of uterine contraction in a concentration-dependent manner with associated IC50 of 0.1023 mg/ml and 0.2715 mg/ml (methanolic extract) and 0.2509 mg/ml and 0.1411 mg/ml (dichloromethane fraction) respectively.
Conclusion: This thus establishes that Emilia coccinea contains steroids, alkaloids and minerals that cause uterine smooth muscle relaxation in albino mice. Hence, this report supports its use as a possible tocolytic agent.
Keywords: Emilia coccinea, Proximate analysis, Phytochemicals, GC-MS analysis, Uterine contractility