Anti-hemorrhagic potential of phytoconstituents of Macrosphyra longistyla ethanol leaf extract in abnormal uterine bleeding induced by incomplete abortion in rats.

Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Macrosphyra longistyla (DC.) Hook.f. ex Hiern, (Rubiaceae), has been traditionally used as an anti-hemorrhagic agent. AIM: This study investigated the anti-haemorrhagic efficacy of an ethanolic leaf extract of M. longistyla against AUB in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An incomplete abortion model was induced in early pregnant rats (n = 6/group) through oral treatment with mifepristone and misoprostol. Subsequently, rats received daily oral doses of M. longistyla at 200 and 400 mg/kg for a one-week period. Treatment effects were assessed by measurements of volume and duration of uterine bleeding, and determination of plasma metabolic markers and hematological parameters. RESULTS: The leaf extract of M. longistyla significantly reduced volume and duration of uterine bleeding from 0.019 mL on day 1 to 0.001 mL on day 3 at 400 mg/kg dose, whereas bleeding persisted until day 6 (0.010 mL) in the model group. Rats treated with M. longistyla extract exhibited a significant reduction in tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) with levels reduced to 191.25 pg/mL at 400 mg/kg dose compared to 276.21 pg/mL in the model group. Conversely, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were significantly elevated to 819.72 pg/mL at the same dose, relative to 465.00 pg/mL exhibited in the model group. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that M. longistyla extract possesses significant anti-hemorrhagic activity evidenced by reduced uterine bleeding, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and upregulation of VEGF. These effects suggest that the extract promotes endometrial repair and restoration of uterine homeostasis.