• Tcha Pakoussi, Aklesso P Mouzou, Kossi Metowogo, Kodjo A Aklikokou, and Messanvi Gbeassor.
• Laboratory of Physiology/Pharmacology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé-Togo.
• Afr Health Sci. 2018 Jun 1; 18 (2): 235-243.

BackgroundSpondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) leaves were used in Togolese folk to treat dystocia, expel placenta and manage post-partum hemorrhage during child birth.ObjectivesThis study aimed to establish how the extract of S. mombin leaves increase uterine smooth muscle contractions relevant to its traditional use to facilitate child birth.MethodsTests were performed on uterus muscle strips from Sprague-Dawley rats. Central portion of uterine horns were dissected, cleaned of surrounding fat and loose connective tissue, and cut longitudinally into strips which were placed in the organ bath for isometric tension record in presence of different substances.ResultsS. mombin leaves extract increased uterine spontaneous contractions. This effect was reduced by indomethacin (2 × 10-6 M), yohimbine (2 × 10-6 M) and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) (5 × 10-5 M), but not by atropine (3.45 × 10-8 M) and cholesterol (2.5 mg/ml).ConclusionThe pharmacological justification for the traditional use of S. mombin leaves to treat dystocia and expel placenta was that its hydro-ethanolic extract induced prostaglandins release, α2-adrenoceptors stimulation, calcium release from internal stores and lifted inhibitory effect of cholesterol on uterine contractions in order to increase uterine smooth muscle contractions.

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