The Effect of Anastatica hierochuntica L. Extract on the Histology of Myometrial Cells and Prostaglandin levels (PGE2, PGF2α) in Pregnant Mice

Anastatica hierochuntica L. is well known as a traditional medicine which brings benefit to the final trimester of pregnancy by increase uterine contractions. This study aimed to analyze the effect of A. hierochuntica L. extract on the histology of myometrial cells and prostaglandin levels (PGE2 and PGF2α) of pregnant mice. The mice were divided into three groups: (1) control group, treated by 0.5% CMC solution 10 ml/kg bw/day; (2) two treatment groups that treated by A. hierochuntica L. extract with 100 and 150 mg/kg bw/day doses, respectively. Uterine tissue was collected for histological analysis and blood serum was collected to examine the PGE2 and PGF2α levels. It obtained that myometrial hypertrophy increased significantly in the treatment groups (p = 0.001) than in the control group. Moreover, there were significant differences in the PGE2 levels (p = 0.001) and PGF2α levels (p = 0.000) between the control group and the treatment groups. The 100 mg/kg bw/day dose had a greater effect on myometrial hypertrophy than 150 mg/kg bw/day, which resulted in a higher increase of PGE2 and PGF2α levels. Hence, it was concluded that the 100 mg/kg bw/day dose of A. hierochuntica L. extract was the appropriate dose for increasing prostaglandin levels.