PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND ANTI-FERTILITY ACTIVITY OF BARK EXTRACT OF JATROPHA CARCUS IN RATS

Abstract

Aim of present study was to assess the antifertility activity of ethanolic (EtJC) and aqueous (AqJC) leaf extract of Jatropha carcus in rats. The anti-fertility activity of the extracts was evaluated using two experimental animal models. Estrogenic activity was carried out in immature female rats using ethinyl estradiol as standard. The evaluation parameters included changes in uterine weight and histopathology of uterus. Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity was performed in female Wistar rats. The number of implants and resorbtions were compared to vehicle control. Phytochemical analysis of EtJC and AqJC revealed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. In estrogenic activity, the EtJC and AqJC were offered significant estrogen-like activity at 400mgkg-1, p.o. by increasing the uterine weight compared to vehicle control group. In Anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity study, EtJC (400 mgkg-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. The EtJC at 400 mgkg-1, p.o. possess significant estrogenic, anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity, while the AqJC at 400 mgkg-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 Jatropha carcus.