Abstract

*Ekweogu Celestine Nwabu, Amanahu Lawerence Chinedu and Nwankpa Promise

ABSTRACT

Combretum racemosum leaves are used in ethnomedicine to treat haemorrhoids, toothache, to promote lactation and weight loss after childbirth. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and effects of ethanol leaf extract of Combretum racemosum (ELECR) on postpartum female rats. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyse the phytochemical composition. Rats were divided into five groups: Group I (normal control: rats not treated with ELECR and not lactating), Group II (negative control: rats not treated with ELECR but lactating),while groups III-V received oral doses of ELECR at 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight, respectively, once daily for 14 days. After ELECR treatment, rats were sacrificed on the 15th day after overnight fasting and blood collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical and hormonal analysis (oestrogen, progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone). GC-MS analysis revealed bioactive compounds. The ELECR-treated groups significantly reduced (p<0.05) body weight, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and malondialdehyde, while the levels of glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, oestrogen, follicle stimulating hormone, red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin increased significantly compared to the negative control (p<0.05). ELECR treatment did not alter the histomorphological architecture of the liver, uterus, pituitary and hypothalamus. This study revealed that ELECR is not toxic but reduced the body weight and increased hormone levels that promote lactation. It also showed that ELECR has hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects which justifies its use in folkore medicine as a tonic for postpartum weight loss with galactagogue effects.