Vol. 5(9), pp. 164-169, September, 2013 DOI: 10.5897/JPP2013.0282 Journal of Pharmacognosy and ISSN 2141-2502 ©2013 Academic Journals Phytotherapy http://www.academicjournals.org/JPP Full Length Research Paper Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the management of fertility and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench J. S. Ashidi1*, E. A. Olaosho1 and A. E. Ayodele2 1Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, OlabisiOnabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. 2Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Accepted 14 August, 2013 The rise and fall in fertility level remain a serious concern in economic planning nations. In spite of concerted efforts of governmental and non-governmental organization to control birth through campaign and provision of safe sex devices, yet not much success has been recorded. There is dearth of information on plants traditionally used for fertility regulation in literature. In this study an ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the management of fertility was conducted across Ago-Iwoye and Oru areas of Ijebu-North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. From the survey, 30 plant species which belong to 20 families were found to be used frequently by the indigenes of the areas. Most of the plants encountered (16.7%) belonged to the family Euphorbiaceae. Phytochemical evaluation of the leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus, the most prominent in the recipes indicated the presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins and tannins in high concentrations while alkaloids, anthraquinones and cardenolides were absent. Moreover, the roots of A. esculentus showed high concentration of flavonoid compounds such as phenolics and saponins which were present in low concentrations while alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardenolides, cardiac glycosides and tannins were absent. Key words: Ethnobotanical survey, fertility, phytochemical evaluation. INTRODUCTION Ethnobotany and ethnomedical studies are today Fertility is the most important aspect of human life, recognized as the most viable method of identifying new which is not only an expression of miracle and mystery, medicinal plants or refocusing on those earlier reported but directly has an effect on the future of living organisms for bioactive constituents. Ethnobotanical survey has (Hoffman, 2012). The earth’s population reached seven been found to be one of the reliable approaches to drug billion in October, 2011. This global milestone is both a discovery (Fabricant and Farnsworth, 2001). Thus, it is great opportunity and a challenge. Although, people are remarkable to note that most of the drugs derived or living longer and healthier lives and couples worldwide originally isolated from higher plants were discovered in are choosing to have fewer children, yet huge disparity ethnobotanical survey around the world (Thirumalai et al., persists. The current growth rate is adding about 78 2009). Several active compounds have been discovered million more people every year (United Nations, 2010). from plants on the basis of ethnobotanical information Poor reproductive health is the leading cause of death and used directly as drugs (Carney et al., 1999). and disability among women of 15 to 49 years in develop- *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2348056953078. Ashidi et al. 165 ing countries (World Bank, 2011). Infection associated Extraction of plant with unsafe abortion is another leading cause of infertility in Africa (Rosenfield, 1994). Abortion is not permitted The leaves and roots of A. esculentus were air dried at room temperature (20°C), oven dried (Gallenkamp hot box oven, under the law in many African countries including Nigeria. England) at 40°C, pulverized and stored in air tight container. About Consequently, women with unwanted pregnancies 300 and 400 g of the roots and leaves of A. esculentus was frequently resort to self-induced abortions or abortions macerated in 3000 and 3500 ml of ethanol (absolute), respectively done improperly under unhygienic conditions, leading to and stirred for 10 min for five consecutive days at room high rates of infections (Etuk, 2009). The current issues temperature. The plant materials, leaves and roots of A. esculentus were filtered using filter paper and the extract was concentrated on fertility with the trend in global population have using a water bath and a rotary evaporator (Buchirotavapor R110) proffered little or no solution to reproductive health, at 75°C. because the economic cost of maintaining reproductive health is high (United Nations, 2012). However, the use of natural products as alternative Phytochemical screening therapy is common in countries with populations that do Phytochemical screening was carried out on the leaves and roots of not have access to scientific medical assistance. Plants A. esculentus to test for alkaloids, anthraquinone glycosides, and their extracts are used popularly for fertility control, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and tannins using and for producing temporary sterility, possibly by standard protocols according to Sofowora (1993), Harborne (1992) interfering with embryonic implantation. Several plants and Trease and Evans(2002). have been confirmed as antifertility, abortive, uterine stimulant, estrogenic or cytotoxic agents in animals and RESULTS humans (Farnsworth et al., 1975). Besides, research has shown that some medicinal and highly nutritive plants Table 1 lists the 30 plant species documented for the when taken in diet for their known properties have management of fertility in the study area. The species accidental effects on the sex hormones of the individual belong to 20 different families (Table 2). The family ingesting it (Williamson et al., 1996). The very recent is Euphorbiaceae had the highest number of plants (5 or the work of Erhabor et al. (2013) who reported the use of 16.7%), followed by the Compositae (3 or 9.9%), thirty one medicinal plants commonly used by Ifa Nkari Cucurbitaceae (3 or 9.9%), Melastomataceae (2 or 6.7%) people of Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria in the management and Caesalpiniaceae (2 or 6.7%). The rest of the families of male infertility. had 1 or 3.3% occurrence (Table 3). The aim of this study was to document ethnobotanical information on plants used in the management of fertility and to evaluate the phytochemicals present in the leaves DISCUSSION and roots of Abelmoschus nesculentus (L.) Moench which was the most prominent plant in the recipes Indigenous people have a vast knowledge on medicinal obtained. plants and there is a need to document this knowledge for continuity and discovery of new drugs. Fertility is the MATERIALS AND METHODS most important aspect of human life, which is not only an expression of miracle and mystery but directly have an Ethnobotanical survey effect on the future of living organisms (Hoffman, 2012); hence, the concept of fertility regulation is not a new one. This survey was carried out across Ago-Iwoye and Oru in Ijebu- The use of plants as abortifacients, emmenagogues, and North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria (6°56’N 3°48’E to as local contraceptives had been known and to some 7°00’N 4°00’E). A semi structured questionnaire was used to gather information on plants commonly used in the management of fertility extent documented by the ancient physicians (Rodrigues, in these areas. Relevant information on the plants, parts used, 2007). Different plants of medicinal value are found to mode of preparation, mode of administration and precautions were interfere with the different stages of reproduction. obtained from the herbal practitioners. The questionnaire was The present study recorded 30 plants used by the administered to twenty traditional healers with notable records of natives of Ago-Iwoye and Oru areas of Ijebu North Local success and good patronage in the herbal practice in the study area. Government in Ogun State, Nigeria. As far as we could ascertain, nineteen (19) of the plants have not been previously reported for abortifacient effect in women just Collection of plant as eleven (11) have been reported and investigated for anti fertility effect in men and women. Fresh leaves and roots of A. esculentus were collected in August Significant findings in this study suggest the 2012 from commercial farms. The plant was identified and abortifacient properties of the roots and leaves of A. authenticated at the Elikaf Herbarium of the Department of Plant Science and Applied Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago- esculentus contrary to the deleterious effect of the Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria, and the voucher specimen was also aqueous fruit extract of A. esculentus on some male kept and was allocated EHA 00323. reproductive parameters in Sprague Dawley rats 166 J. Pharmacognosy Phytother. Table 1. Plants used in the management of fertility in Ago Iwoye and Oru areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. S/N Taxon Family Common/ local names Part used Recipe/Dosage Reported anti-fertility activity Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Leaves or roots are pulverized and mixed This is also reported by Olatunji- 1 Malvaceae Gumbo, Ila, lady’s finger Leaves, roots Moench with 5 ml of water; administered orally once Bello et al. (2009). Leaves are finely powdered and mixed with This is also reported by Lemonica 2 Acanthospermum hispidum DC. Compositae Dagunro Leaves 10 ml of water; two full tablespoons are and Alvarenga (1994). taken once Decoction is prepared by boiling the roots This is also reported by Babalola 3 Baphia