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

AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.