Centella asiatica on Post-Implantation: Effect on Collagen Distribution in Gravid Uterus of Rattus norvegicus

Introduction: The continuity of life depends on the ability of humans to reproduce their kind. It has been established that the use of some herbal medications could result in decreased reproductive health by direct effect on the reproductive organs. The whole plant of Centella asiatica is known for its medicinal use and is reported to have benefits such as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Centella asiatica on postimplantation and the distribution of collagen fibers in the gravid uterus. Sixty-four (64) adult female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used for this study and randomly assigned into four (4) groups of sixteen (16) animals each. The groups received 250mg/kg/kg, 500mg/kg/kg, and 1000mg/kg body weight of the extract while control received I ml of distilled water. The animals were mated and confirmed pregnant before the commencement of administration which lasted for 7 days GD 0-6. Animals were sacrificed at GD 8, 11, and 13 while others were left to litter. At the end of each experimental period, the uterine horns containing the fetuses were harvested. The number of corpus luteum was compared to that of implantation as well as resorption sites. The harvested uteruses were fixed in formal saline, processed histologically, and stained with H&E, and Masson trichrome was used to demonstrate collagen. Data obtained were statisticallysignificant at p < 0.05 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Results showed resorption sites in all treated groups and reduced implantation sites compared to the number of corpus luteum in a dose-dependent manner. There was increased collagen staining in the PDZ (primary decidual zone) and SDZ (secondary decidual zone) at GD 8 in all treated groups. At GD 11, reduced development of the growing implant and ultimately total absence of the implant was observed.