Phytochemical and active column fractions of Pyrenacantha staudtii leaf extracts on isolated rat uterus.

Four methanolic leaf fraction extracts of Pyrenacantha staudtii obtained from accelerated gradient chromatography (AGC) were tested on the isolated rat uterus. Various fractions--M1, M2, M3 and M4 through bioassay guided isolation were obtained. Fractions M(2) and M(4), containing saponins and alkaloids respectively, significantly (P<0.05) exerted high smooth muscle relaxant activity on the uterus. Fractions M(1) and M(3) containing fatty acids and tannins respectively did not exhibit significant effect on the isolated rat uterus. The results indicate the presence of active principles in the leaf extracts of P. staudtii which may be responsible for some of the applications in traditional medicines as remedy against threatened abortion and dysmenorrheal.