- 期刊
- OpenAccess
Effects of Aqueous Extract of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew) Leaf on Pregnancy Outcome of Wistar Rats
並列摘要
Anacardium occidentale (cashew) leaf extract is used medicinally to treat various kinds of diseases such as diabetes, fever, bronchitis etc, in different parts of the world including Nigeria. This study investigates the effect of A. occidentale leaf extract on reproductive outcome of Wistar rats. Twenty female wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (I, II, III, and IV), n=5 in each group. Group I is the control while groups II, III and IV are experimental groups. 300mg/kg of aqueous leaf extract of A. occidentale was administered orally to group II, III and IV during early (days 1-7) mid- (days 7-14) and late (days 14-21) pregnancy respectively. The leaf extract significantly (p＜0.05) shows low birthweight on the pupsborn in early and mid pregnancy but high birthweight in late pregnancy: (Control vs treatment; early pregnancy, 7.220±0.030 vs 5.753±0.166g; mid pregnancy, 7.220±0.030g vs 5.431±0.149g; late pregnancy, 7.220±0.030 vs 7.60±0.00g), Crown-rump length (control vs treatment: early pregnancy, 6.450±0.050 vs 5.875±0.139g; mid pregnancy, 6.450±0.050 vs 5.713±0.064g; late pregnancy, 6.450±0.050 vs 6.50±0.00g), Head Circumference, (control vs treatment: early pregnancy, 1.150±0.05 vs 1.225±0.016g; mid pregnancy, 1.150±0.05 vs 1.138±0.026g; late pregnancy, 1.150±0.05 vs 1.30±0.00g). Life birth index is unaltered. Quantal pregnancy (%) in groups I, II, III and IV is 75, 80, 80 and 75, respectively. Litter size in group I, II, III and IV is 2, 8, 8 and 1, respectively. Gestation length is unaltered. The leaf extract was non teratogenic. In conclusion, the leaf extract of A. occidentale administered revealed low birthweight, crown-rump length in early and mid pregnancy but increased birthweight and crown-rump length in late pregnancy.