Asian Journal of Biological Sciences1996-3351xxxx-xxxxScience International10.3923/ajbs.2018.73.77Piper guineense Schum and Thonn. (Piperaceae) Seed Consumption in Wistar Albino Rats]]>Sydney ApriokuJonah Promise NwoguKelechi 22018112Background and Objective:Piper guineense Schum and Thonn. has been known to be a very useful plant in folk medicine for a very long time. It is locally used in Nigeria as spice to increase lactation in breast feeding mothers. Although, there is a folklore belief that it is not safe in pregnancy, no scientific justification has been reported. This study investigated abortifacient potential of ethanol extract of P. guineense seeds in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Pregnant female rats, divided into 3 groups (n = 6/group) were intraperitoneally injected with extract (10 or 20 mg kg1) or vehicle (Tween 80) once daily between GD11 and GD15. The rats were anesthetized and laparotomized on GD20 and fetuses were delivered. Number of implantation sites and fetal characteristics (number, stillbirths and body weights) were noted, as well as maternal weights of the uterus and ovary. Maternal body weights were also recorded on GD0, GD10 and GD20. Results: Number of fetuses delivered were fewer in extract treated rats than control and implantations were also fewer in 20 mg kg1 extract treated rats. There were resorptions and dead fetuses in extract treated animals which were absent in control animals. These effects were observed to be dose-dependent; stillbirths occurred at a rate of 39 and 69%, respectively; whereas, the calculated abortifacient activity was about 66 and 79%, respectively. Maternal weight gain was prevented, while fetal birth weight was significantly (p<0.0001) decreased in extract treated rats compared to control. In addition, ovarian and uterine weights of extract treated rats were significantly (p<0.0001) reduced compared to control. Conclusion: From the obtained results, it is concluded that P. guineense seed possesses abortifacient property in rats and should be avoided in pregnancy.]]>Trease, G.E. and W.C. Evans,200216th Edn.,De Vos, P.,20101322847Ashok, P.K. and K. Upadhyaya,201214550 Imaga, N.A.,20132013Agbor, M.A. and S. Naidoo,20152015Gbekley, H.E., G. Katawa, S.D. Karou, K. Anani and T. Tchadjobo et al.,201714196212Al-Mofleh, I.A.,20101627102719Dada, A.A., Ifesan, B.O.T. and J.T. Fashakin,201312373378Kabiru, A.Y., G.F. Ibikunle, D.A. Innalegwu, B.M. Bola and F.M. Madaki,2016In vivo antiplasmodial and analgesic effect of crude ethanol extract of Piper guineense leaf extract in Albino mice.]]>2016Wang, Y., S.L. Morris-Natschke, J. Yang, H. Niu, C. Long and K. Lee,20144816Udoh, F.V., T.Y. Lot and V.B. Braide,1999Piper guineense on skeletal muscle activity in rat and frog.]]>13106110Gruber, C.W. and M. O'Brien,201177207220Agbor, G.A., J.A. Vinson, J.E. Oben and J.Y. Ngogang,2008In vitro antioxidant activity of three Piper species.]]>74964Moukette, B.M., P.C. Anatole, C.P.N. Biapa, J.R. Njimou and J.Y. Ngogang,2015Piper guineensis.]]>2792805Mbongue, F.G.Y., P. Kamtchouing, O.J.L. Essame, P.M. Yewah, T. Dimo and D. Lontsi,2005piper guineense on the reproductive function of adult male rats.]]>373032Uhegbu, F.O., C. Imo and A.E. Ugbogu,2015Piper guineense Schumach seeds.]]>817Echo, I.A., A.N. Osuagwu, R.B. Agbor, E.C. Okpako and B.E. Ekanem,2012Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense seeds.]]>21721Umoh, I., S. Oyebadejo, E. Bassey and U. Uko,2013Abelmoschus esculentus and Piper guineense induce testicular-toxicity in wistar rats, histopathological finding.]]>1498105Ganong, E.W.,20122012Udoh, F.V.,1999Piper guineense.]]>135558Chernausek, S.D.,201297689695Diallo, A., B. Batomayena, L.E. Povi, K. Eklu-Gadegbeku, K. Aklikokou, E. Creppy and M. Gbeassor,2015Ageratum conyzoides L. leaves (Asteraceae) in rats.]]>7264266Wink, M.,20162016pp: 106-114pp: 106-114Ekanem, A.P., F.V. Udoh and E.E. Oku,2010Piper guineense seeds (Schum. and Thonn) on the conception of mice (Mus musculus).]]>4362367