ABSTRACT

The effects of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalinu Del on litter weight gain, milk  production, uterine and mammary gland contraction amplitudes were studied using guinea pigs as animal model. The animals were placed in four groups of three animals each. Group I served as the control while groups II, ill and IV served as the test groups administered 5mg/kg, 10mg/kg and 100mg/kg body weight of Vernonia ainygdalina respectively. Standard techniques were used throughout th studies. Mean weight gain (g) of litters of animals in groups 1, 11, III and IV was 1.88 ± 0.68, 3.11 ± 0.10, 4.20 ± 0.20 and 13.96 ± 1,53 respectively (after five weeks). The diflcrc;cc in mean weight gain by the litters in groups III and IV but not in groups II were significant (p < 0.05) when compared with the litters in the control group. All the dams had their highest milk production index (g) at week 2. Milk production index was 11 .00 ± 1.00, 9.00 ± 2.00, 11.33 ± 5.69 and 14.33 ± 1.53 for animals in groups 1, Ii. III, and IV respectively. The observed differences in milk production were not significant (p> 0.05). Milk production dropped as the week progressed with the lowest recording at week 4 and 5. Uterine contraction amplitude (mm) at 5mg/mi, 10mg/mi and 100mg/nil was 1.22 ± 0.03, 3.60 ± 0.03 and 9.6 ± 0.24 respectively. The uterine contraction amplitudes for 5mg/nil, lomg/ml but not 100mg/mi of Vernonia amygdalina were sgniflcantly lower (p <0.05) than that recorded for equivalent concentrations of the standard drug, Ergornctrinc. The mammary gland contraction amplitudes (mm) recorded for 5mg/mi, 10mg/mi and 100mg/mi of Vernonia arnygdalina were 1.2 ± 0.14, 2.70 ± 0.36 and 6.15 ± 0.13 respectively. The observed values were all significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those observed for the equivalent concentrations of ergonictrinc. 1-listopaihological studies showed no marked toxicity of Vérnonia anygda1ina on the cells of the major organs of the experimental rats even at 100mg/mi of the aqueous extract of Vernonia ainjgda1ina.