Uterotonic Properties of Nymphaea Alba on Isolated Myometrium Model

Objective: Nymphaea alba is a medicinal plant used in tropical regions for its genital, gastrointestinal and bronchial activities. In the present study, the probable effect of the ethanol extract of the rhizome on rat uterus in the presence of standard antagonists like salbutamol and atropine and a uterine stimulant like oxytocin were examined. Methods: This work examined the effect of the ethanol extract of the N. alba rhizome on rat uterus pre-treated with 1 mg/kg stilboesterol for 24 h. The effects of oxytocin-a uterine contraction agonist, antagonists like atropine (1-2 mg) and salbutamol (2 μg) on the uterine contractile effect of the extract were investigated. Results: The ethanol extract of N. alba produced a dose related increase in the force of uterine contraction similar to Oxytocin. The drug Oxytocin was observed to potentiate the uterine contractile activity of the extract while pre-treating the tissue with either atropine or salbutamol before administering the extract showed the inhibitory effects of the drugs on the activity of the extract. Conclusion: The inhibition of contractile effect of the N. alba extract showed by atropine and salbutamol suggests the probable stimulation of the muscarinic and adrenergic receptors of the uterus by the extract. These findings justify the traditional use of the plant for its uterotonic properties.