The Phytopharmacological Evaluation of the Methanol Root Extract of Azanza Garckeana (Malvaceae) on Isolated Wistar Rat Uterine Smooth Muscles.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Pregnant women in Chongwe, Zambia traditionally use the root of Azanza garckeana (F.Hffm.) Exell 95% CI 1.19 x 10 −3 to 5.23 x 10 −3 mg/ml, p=0.0001), while sub-fraction pool number 2 (subfractions number 41 to 61) demonstrated the highest uterotonic potency (EC 50 at 2.05 x 10 −3 mg/ml; 95% CI 2.09 x 10 −3 to 3.85 x 10 −3 mg/ml, p=0.0001). Sub-fraction pool number 2 was suggested to contain the compound with the major uterotonic activity which was suggested to be related to the family of glycosides after High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Conclusions The study suggests the presence of a major uterotonic phytochemical constituent in the methanol root crude extract of Azanza garckeana , which was suggested to be related to the family of glycosides. The study has provided scientific evidence suggesting the root of Azanza garckeana , a plant used traditionally for inducing or accelerating labor possess uterotonic activity. Further pharmacological and toxicological studies need to be undertaken on the plant.