Int. Res J Pharm. App Sci., 2013; 3(4):69-73 ISSN: 2277-4149 André B. Konan et al., 2013 69 International Research Journal of Pharmaceutical and Applied Sciences (IRJPAS) Available online at www.irjpas.com Int. Res J Pharm. App Sci., 2013; 3(4):69-73 SESAMUM RADIATUM LEAVES CAN HELP CHILDBIRTH André B. Konan 1* , Augustin K. Amonkan 1 , Mathieu N. Bléyéré 2 , Léandre K. Kouakou 2 , Marcel K.G. Bouafou 3 , Jacques Y. Datté 1 1 Laboratory of Nutrition and Pharmacology, UFR-Biosciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire. 2 Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Phytotherapy and Pharmacology, UFR Sciences de la Nature, Nangui Abrogoua University, 02 BP 802 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire 3 Division of Life Sciences and Earth, Department of Sciences and Technology, Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS), 25 BP 663 Abidjan 25, Côte d’Ivoire Corresponding Author: André B. Konan, Email: akonanb@yahoo.fr Abstract: This study was carried out to verify the ability of Sesamum radiatum leaves to facilitate delivery. From this investigation, it can be concluded that S. radiatum was toxic plant. This toxicity as those of many drugs can not limit its use for therapeutic purposes. To facilitate childbirth, African populations used low doses that did not cause systemic toxicity in humans. S. radiatum aqueous leaf extract induced hypotension which was similar to those of oxytocin (Syntocinon ® ) and misoprostol (Cytotec ® ). As misoprostol and oxytocin, S. radiatum aqueous leaf extract caused a vasorelaxation and a stimulating effect on uterine smooth muscle contraction. This uterotonic action (prostaglandin-like activity) showed S. radiatum ability to mobilize calcium intra-and extra-cellular, which confirms its utéronic property. To summarize, S. radiatum had two fundamental properties that justify the use of oxytocic-like substances to facilitate labor namely a uterotonic effect and hypotensive action. This herbal would have a great biomedical interest in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Sesamum radiatum Schum. & Thonn. (Pedaliaceae) can be used to facilitate childbirth in parturient women. Keywords: Sesamum radiatum, Childbirth, Parturient women, Uterine contractility, Blood pressure, Acute toxicity INTRODUCTION Parturition is defined as expulsion, out of maternal genital tract of the fetus and its annexes 1 . It is determined by various factors. Its trigger process which according to Buxton et al. 2 , is mysterious and physiology remain to be elucidated in general and more specifically in humans 3-5 . Several parameters are associated with childbirth 6,7 . However, it should be noted that physiological factors are the most important determinants. Indeed, they are essential for all parturient women while sociocultural and economic context of childbirth vary or are simply not considered. Individual factors including maternal age, parity, education and marital status, household factors including family size, household wealth, and community factors including socioeconomic status, community health infrastructure, region, rural/urban residence, available health facilities, and distance to health facilities determine place of delivery and these factors interact in diverse ways in each context to determine place of delivery 7-10 . A significant proportion of mothers in developing countries still deliver at home unattended by skilled health workers 11-14 . In sub- saharan Africa and Arab worlds, childbirth concern mature- aged women exclusively. Men and children are kept out of the delivery room. Women give birth more often without the help of professional. Rather, they are assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) whose practices do not comply with the medical standards prescribed by WHO 15 . These TBAs used medicinal plants including Sesamum radiatum Schum. & Thonn. (Pedaliaceae). In Côte d'Ivoire, this plant is known to all rural populations as well as urban. They commonly used this vegetable species to facilitate delivery 16-19 . Indeed, because of its geographical distribution, this herbal is easily accessible. This plant species grows on the whole territory, on the lands and even around habitations 20 . These people can get them easily. Slightly softened fire and expression, S. radiatum leaves give an extract that is given to parturient women to facilitate childbirth. However, its extensive use raises questions. The problem is that the use of these herbals is done without knowledge of the real effects of these. This plant species can really facilitate the deliveries? How this medicinal plant can help childbirth? Or simply, S. radiatum is used as a placebo to boost the morale of parturient women? This present study was conducted in an attempt to answer these questions. It was a synthesis of previous studies focused in part on the acute toxicity of this herbal and the other on the comparative effects of its aqueous leaf extract with oxytocic-like substances known and commonly used in obstetrical practice to stimulate labor. So we carried our interest on some physiological parameters which greatly contribute to the success of the deliveries Review Article