Effect of Launaea taraxacifolia on Pregnancy Outcome, its Safety Profile and Mechanism(s) of Alleviating Labour Pain in Gravid Rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLaunaea taraxacifolia (LT) is used by pregnant women to ease the delivery process and alleviate labour pain.Aim of the studyWe aimed to investigate the effect of LT on pregnancy outcomes, its safety profile, and possible mechanisms by which it alleviates labour pain.Materials and MethodsThe whole plant of LT was extracted through maceration in distilled water. Sixteen pregnant rats were assigned to four groups and treated thus: control (distilled water, 5 mL/kg/day), 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day LT, respectively, from gestational day (GD) 14 until GD 20. On GD 21, pups were delivered via caesarean section, and pregnancy outcome parameters were assessed. Blood samples, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, placenta, and maternal organs were analysed. The active constituents in LT were identified using High-performance liquid chromatography analysis (HPLC).ResultsNo significant differences were observed in pregnancy outcomes across the groups. Biochemical and hormonal assays revealed a significant decrease in sodium and chloride ions in the 100 mg/kg LT group, an increase in alkaline phosphatase in the 50 and 100 mg/kg LT groups, and a decrease in estradiol in all treated groups. No significant difference was noted in the concentration of prostaglandin E2 in both the amniotic fluid and umbilical cord samples. Conversely, a non-dose-dependent increase in the concentration of prostaglandin F2α was observed in the amniotic fluid in the treated groups. The major compounds present in LT include cyanogenic glycoside, phytate, epihendrine, steroids, flavan-3-ol, anthocyanin, and naringin.ConclusionsLT had no adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes. Its mechanism for alleviating labour pain and facilitating labour may be attributed to its impact on estradiol and PGF2α.