Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Xylopia aethiopica is a widely used medicinal plant in West Africa, traditionally employed for the management of reproductive disorders, infections, and metabolic diseases. Despite its ethnomedicinal relevance, scientific evidence on its reproductive safety and uterine pharmacology remains limited. Objective: This study evaluated the reproductive safety and uterine pharmacology of Xylopia aethiopica fruit in Wistar rats. Methodology: This study, which evaluated the reproductive safety, uterine pharmacology, and systemic effects of aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruit was carried out in the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Enugu State University of Science and Technology College of Medicine. Fresh fruits of Xylopia aethiopica were purchased, identified, air-dried, powdered, and extracted with water using a Soxhlet apparatus. Acute oral toxicity was assessed in rats at doses of 500–2500 mg/kg, with animals monitored for 48 hours. For the in vivo reproductive study, pregnant Wistar rats were administered undiluted fruit extract ad libitum for 24–96 hours, while pregnancy outcomes were monitored. In vitro uterine contractility was studied using isolated rat uterine horns mounted in organ baths with De Jalon’s solution, and responses to the extract were recorded. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, with significance set at p<0.05. Result: Phytochemical screening revealed abundant tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. In vivo administration to pregnant rats throughout gestation produced no maternal toxicity, abortion, or adverse reproductive outcomes with all treated animals successfully littering comparable to controls, though dose-dependent hormonal alterations suggested potential antifertility effects at higher doses. Isolated rat uterus assays demonstrated significant relaxation and inhibition of oxytocin and Ca²? induced contractions, consistent with calcium-antagonistic tocolytic mechanism. Collectively, X. aethiopica fruit extract exhibits tocolytic properties with potential phytotherapeutic application in obstetric care, but safety concerns at higher doses warrant cautious use. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Xylopia aethiopica fruit demonstrated significant pharmacological benefits, including uterine relaxation via calcium antagonism. In vivo administration during gestation revealed no overt maternal or fetal toxicity, supporting its potential reproductive safety at moderate doses.