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

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.