Investigation of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Leaf Extracts of Portulaca oleracea on Gestation in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

Portulaca oleracea, Linn., is one of the indigenous plants currently gaining ground and recognition globally as both vegetable and medicinal herb. Scarcity of literature on the safety of P.oleracea uses in pregnancy prompted this research. This study investigated the effect of the lipophilic and hydrophilic leaf extracts of P.oleracea on gestation/foetal indices. The extracts were obtained using two extracting solvents - chloroform and 80% aqueous methanol in succession. Thirty-five successfully mated female rats were divided into seven groups. Group 1 (control) received 0.5ml 20% Tween 80 (vehicle), groups 2, 3 and 4 received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the lipophilic extract respectively; and 5, 6 and 7 received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the hydrophilic extract respectively orally from gestational day (GD) 6-19. On GD 20, laparotomy was performed to assess the gestation/foetal indices. Both extracts did not cause abortion in the pregnant rats or teratogenesis of the foetuses. The extracts had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the indices, however, only hydrophilic extract caused a dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) increase in Foetal crown-rump length (FCRL) in comparison with control. Leaf extracts of P.oleracea as used in this study is safe to foetus and gestating dam, thus gestation friendly.