ANTIFERTILITY ACTIVITY OF BRIDELIA CRENULATA ROXB, AN ETHNOPLANT USED BY TRIBALS OF ORISSA TO PREVENT PREGNANCY
Authors/Creators
- 1. * 1Poona College of Pharmacy, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Paud Road, Pune-411038, INDIA. 2 C. U. Shah College of Pharmacy, S.N.D.T. Women's University, Juhu Campus, Santacruz (West), Mumbai- 400049, INDIA.
Description
ABSTRACT
Bridelia crenulata Roxb. (Euphorbiaceae family) is an ethnoplant, which is known to be used by the inhabitants of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa to prevent pregnancy. The present study was aimed at evaluating the antiovulatory activity of stem bark of Bridelia crenulata, to explore its therapeutic value and thereby scientifically validate the traditional claim. Petroleum ether extract of stem bark of Bridelia crenulata was tested for in vivo antiovulatory activity in female Swiss albino mice. Three different dose levels of the test extract were administered for 30 days (6 consecutive estrous cycles) and different phases of estrous cycle of mice were determined daily by microscopically observing vaginal smears of the treatment and control group. Antiovulatory activity was exhibited by petroleum ether extract [PEE] wherein a reduction of the total number of estrus phases (which is the ovulation phase) and a prolongation of diestrus phases (which is the non-ovulatory phase) were observed in the treatment group. Petroleum ether extract [PEE] showed a dose dependant, statistically significant, antiovulatory activity as compared to the control, at dose levels of 100 and 150 mg/Kg body weight of the mice. Also, the antiovulatory effect caused by PEE in mice was reversible after the dose was discontinued. Thus, it did not produce a permanent infertility in mice.
KEYWORDS: Bridelia Crenulata Roxb., Euphorbiaceae, Ethnoplant, Antifertility.