HAEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE, ANTICONCEPTIVE, EARLY ABORTIFACIENT AND ECBOLIC EFFECTS OF THE ETHANOL SEED EXTRACT OF LUFFA CYLINDRICA IN FEMALE RATS

*Odo Rita Ifeoma, Uchendu Chukwuka Nwocha and Agbo Perpetual Ugochukwu

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the contraceptive, early abortifacient and ecbolic effects of the ethanol seed extract of Luffa cylindrica in female rats, and also the effect of the extract on haematology in female rats. Twenty four female and 8 male albino rats were used for the study. Each group containing 6 females and 2 males kept separate and used when required. Group 1 female rats confirmed to be on estrus were administered 80 mg/kg of Luffa cylindrica seed extract (LCSE) and paired with the males. Group 2 female rats were administered LCSE (80 mg/kg) four days post mating. Group 3 female rats were administered LCSE (80 mg/kg) on day 18 of pregnancy. Group 4 was the control, given distilled water as placebo (10 ml /kg). Female rats in all the groups were euthanized on day 20. There was no foetus in the uterus in groups 1 and 2. There were significant decreases (p<0.05) in the foetal weight and foetal crown rump length of group 3 when compared to group 4, but the number of life foetuses was comparable (p>0.05) between the two groups. Packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cells were comparable among the four groups. White blood cells and lymphocytes were markedly higher in groups 1, 2 and 3 when compared to group 4. From the results, LCSE has contraceptive, early abortifacient and immune system boosting effects but has no ecbolic effect at the dose of 80 mg/kg in female rats.

Keywords: Luffa cylindrical, contraceptive, arbortifacient, ecbolic, haematology.