Anti-fertility effect of flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the anti-fertility effect of methanolic (MeTD) and aqueous (AqTD) flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata in rats.

METHODS

The anti-fertility activity of the extracts was evaluated using two experimental animal models: 1) Estrogenic activity was carried out in immature female rats using ethinyl estradiol as standard. The evaluation parameters includes changes in uterine weight and histopathology of uterus. 2) Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity was performed in female Wistar rats. The number of implants and resorbtions were compared to vehicle control.

RESULTS

Phytochemical analysis of MeTD and AqTD revealed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. In estrogenic activity, the MeTD and AqTD were offered significant estrogen-like activity at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. by increasing the uterine weight compared to vehicle control group. In Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity study, MeTD (500 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) showed significant effect and it was evident by decrease in the number of implants and increase in the number of resorbtions compared to vehicle control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The MeTD at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. possess significant estrogenic, anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity, while the AqTD at 500 mg·kg(-1), p.o. was found to possess significant estrogenic activity and the results are in consistent with the literature reports related to anti-fertility effect of flower extracts of Tabernaemontana divaricata.