Physiological Basis of the Effects of Alligator pepper on Pregnancy

Although intra-peritoneal injection of aqueous extract of alligator pepper has been found to reduce gestational weight gain and litter weight and ingestion of granulated alligator pepper has been found to cause termination of first trimester pregnancies in Sprague Dawley rats, there are no physiological explanations for these effects. This study was therefore carried out to determine the changes in the fasting levels of some reproductive and metabolic hormones and glucose in pregnancy that are due to the effect of saline extract of alligator pepper. It was found that intra-peritoneally injected saline extract of alligator pepper increased fasting blood glucose and estradiol, while it decreased fasting serum insulin, progesterone and prolactin levels in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats. The potential benefit of alligator pepper in treatment of hyper-prolactinemic anovulation, prevention of gestational hypertension/preeclampsia, prevention of fetal macrosomia, and the potential hazard of first trimester abortion with high doses are contributions of this study to knowledge.