Influence of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract Terminalia catappa L. on Pregnant Wistar Rats and Brain g-6pdh Activities

Aim: This study investigated the influence of an aqueous stem bark extract of Terminalia catappa on pregnant wistar rats and brain glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) activity.

Study Design: Forty-five adult female wistar rats at proestrus sexual cycle were caged overnight with sexually mature male rats of the same strain. The presence of sperm in the vagina lavage obtained the following morning confirmed coitus and was designated as day zero of pregnancy. The pregnant rats were randomly divided into five groups of nine each after confirmation of pregnancy.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Animal Holdings of the Department of Anatomy, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, between March 2014 and May, 2014.

Methodology: The Group A (control) animals were given feed and water liberally throughout the study. Group B received 400 mgkg/bwt of extract between 1-20 day, Group C received 400 mgkg/bwt between extract 1-6 day, Group D received 400 mgkg/bwt extract between 7-12 day and Group E received 400 mgkg/bwt extract between 13-20 day of gestation. The rats were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation, foetal morphologic measurements were taken as well as adult brain G-6PDH activity assayed.

Results: There was no statistical difference between the control and experimental groups of foetal body weight, crown-rump length, tail length, foetal brain weight and placental weight. Also, the adult brain G-6PDH activity level was not statistically different when the control and experimental groups were compared.

Conclusion: The dose of extract at 400 mgkg/bwt consumed during pregnancy, was considered as relatively safe, as it did not cause abnormalities in foetus or influence changes in brain G-6PDH activity in adult rats.