title: Post-coital antifertility activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn. root.
abstract: Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is an abundant indigenous herb in India. It is traditionally being used as an abortifacient. The ethanol extract of the root was screened for antifertility activity in proven fertile female albino rats at 200 mg/kg body weight and given orally on days 1-7 of pregnancy. The ethanol extract exhibited 83.3% anti-implantation activity when given orally at 200 mg/kg body weight. The rats, which continued their pregnancy, did not deliver any litters after their full term. Hence the combined antifertility (anti-implantation and abortifacient) activity of ethanol extract was 100%. The results suggest that the ethanol extract possess both anti-implantation and abortifacient activity. The ethanol extract also exhibited estrogenic activity tested in immature ovariectomised female albino rats. Histological studies were carried out to confirm this.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Division, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar 125001, India.
authors.forename: Neeru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vasudeva
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D029044:Achyranthes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol