EFFECT OF OXALIS CORNICULATA WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS ON FERTILITY REGULATION IN FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Aim of the present study is to find out novel fertility regulation agent from natural products. Petroleum ether and ethanol extract of whole plant of Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae) were tested for fertility regulation studies in female albino rats at the dose level of 10 and 20 mg petroleum ether and ethanol extract per 100 gm body weight administered orally from day 1-7 of pregnant rats for antiimplantation activity and also for immature ovariectomised rats for estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity. The dose level of 10 and 20 mg of petroleum ether extract inhibited 39.71% and 76.42% implantation sites respectively. Similarly, 10 and 20 mg of ethanol extract treatment has resulted in 27.87% and 38.21% inhibition of implantation respectively. In estrogenic activity, the uterus of treated rats showed significant increase in the gravimetric and micrometric measurements, indicating its estrogenicity. When both the extracts were tested in immature rats the estrogenic activity has been confirmed by early opening of vagina, cornification of vaginal epithelial cells and increase in uterine weight. Antiimplantation activity of O. corniculata is due to its estrogenic nature, therefore, it may be concluded that both the activities revealed their possible fertility regulation.