Anand O. Prakash

Antifertility profile of the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots

An aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots was investigated for its estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, progestational and antiprogestational activities. Oral administration of extract progressively increased the uterine wet weight of bilaterally ovariectomized rats. This estrogenic activity was supported by stimulation of uterine histo-architecture. When the extract was given conjointly with estradiol dipropionate (EDP), there was a successive reduction in the uterine wet weight when compared to the gain with EDP alone and uterine histological structures were also inhibited. In the deciduoma test, the highest dose of 600 mg/kg interfered with the formation of deciduoma in 50% of the rats, showing some antiprogestational activity. Doses up to 600 mg/kg of the extract orally failed to induce a decidual response in the traumatized uterus of ovariectomized rats. The antifertility effect of the extract appears to be due to multiple attributes.

Potentialities of Some Indigenous Plants for Antifertility Activity

AbstractThirty extracts of twenty medicinal plants have been screened for their anti-implantation activity in female rats. 50% ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Pueraria tuberosa DC (tubers) exhibited 88.8% and 85.5% anti-implantation activity. 50% ethanolic extract of Deutzia corymbosa Br. (PX), Gnaphalium indicum L. (PL); acetone extract of Ephedera gerardiana Wall. (PL), Geranium lucidum L. (PL), Juniperus communis L. (SD) and methanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera L. (RT) inhibited pregnancy in 60% of rats. Similarly, 50% ethanolic, benzene, acetone extracts of Piper longum L. (FR), acetone extract of Platanus orientalis L. (BK-LF), aqueous and methanolic extracts of Punica granatum L. (RT) and acetone extract of Achyranthes aspera L. (RT) prevented implantation in 50% of rats.

Non-hormonal post-coital contraceptive action of neem oil in rats.

Neem oil, a natural product of Azadirachta indica was investigated for various hormonal properties in relation to its post-coital contraceptive action. At subcutaneous doses up to 0.3 ml/rat, neem oil did not possess any estrogenic, anti-estrogenic or progestational activity and appeared not to interfere with the action of progesterone. These findings were confirmed using the histo-architecture of the uterus of treated rats. Since the post-coital contraceptive effect of neem oil seems to be non-hormonal, neem oil would be expected to elicit less side effects than the steroidal contraceptives.

Effect of feeding gymnema sylvestre leaves on blood glucose in beryllium nitrate treated rats

The feeding of powdered leaves of Gymnema sylvestre in the diet of rats for 10 days prior and 15 days after i.v. beryllium nitrate significantly protected the animals from the full fall of blood glucose seen in rats receiving beryllium nitrate alone. The feeding of the leaves for 25 days to normal rats did not alter blood glucose significantly. The leaves may contain a principle that could be useful as a prophylactic against beryllium toxicity.

Postcoital contraceptive action in rats of a hexane extract of the aerial parts of Ferula jaeschkeana.

The hexane extract of Ferula jaeschkeana aerial parts was studied at an oral dose of 25 mg/kg per day for its postcoital effects in pregnant rats. Ovaries of treated rats remained in a cyclic state rather than undergoing pregnancy as demonstrated by constant ovulation accompanied by newly formed corpora lutea. Follicles were present in different stages of development. Uterine histoarchitecture of treated rats appeared non-receptive for implantation. No decidcoma were observed on day 5 of pregnancy and the luminal epithelium remained unresponsive. Uterus was non-oedematous and lumen was considerably wider. Administration of the extract caused increases in the protein and glycogen content of ovary and uterus, while the activity of acid phosphatase remained essentially unchanged and the activity of alkaline phosphatase was increased. The volume of uterine fluid in the treated rats was increased considerably on day 5 post coitum. It appears that the histological and biochemical modifications in the ovary and uterus of treated pregnant rats do not support the preparation of uterus for implantation.

Histoarchitecture of the genital tract of ovariectomized rats treated with an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots

The effect of an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera roots was studied histologically on the genital tract of ovariectomized rats in the presence and absence of estradiol dipropionate and progesterone. Administration of the extract itself stimulated the uterine histoarchitecture as revealed by increases in the height of luminal epithelium, well developed glands, loose stroma and rich vascularity. The cervix showed metaplastic changes in the epithelium with marked keratinization. In the vagina, cornification was very prominent, rugae increased and stroma was loose. Conjoint administration of the extract with estradiol showed a synergistic action, and an inhibition was observed when administered conjointly with progesterone.

Biochemical and histological studies of reproductive organs in cycuc and ovariectomized rats supporting a non-hormonal action for neem oil

Subcutaneous administration of neem oil to cyclic rats caused significant damage to the luminal epithelium of the uterus and to the uterine glands. It also decreased glycogen and total protein contents in the ovary and uterus, while the activity of acid phosphatase in these organs was increased significantly. Studies in ovariectomized rats revealed that the administration of neem oil decreased protein and glycogen content and increased acid phosphatase activity in the uterus whereas its conjoint administration with estradiol dipropionate or progesterone did not cause significant changes relative to those seen with the steroids per se. Histological studies in ovariectomized rats also supported the relatively inert action of neem oil when given with hormones. It was concluded that the histological and biochemical alterations observed were due to the toxicological potential of the neem oil rather than to hormonal properties.

Toxicological studies on the ethanolic extract of Crotalaria juncea seeds in rats

The effect of the ethanolic extract of Crotalaria juncea Linn. (Leguminosae) seeds has been assessed on liver, kidney, spleen and adrenals of adult rats. Results revealed that its administration at a dose of 200 mg/kg caused significant alterations. Wet weight of the organs was reduced. Protein and glycogen contents in all the organs were decreased significantly, whereas, the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was increased. Histology revealed remarkable disintegration necrosis and degeneration in the liver. Renal tubular cells showed degeneration and exfoliation. Adrenals showed hypertrophy in the region of zona glomerulosa. In the spleen the number of megakaryotic cells and lymphocytes was increased. Administration of the extract therefore not only damaged the liver but other vital organs too were also affected.

Concentrations of Na+ and K+ in serum and uterine flushings of ovariectomized, pregnant and cyclic rats when treated with extracts of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers

The effect of 50% ethanol and benzene extracts of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers was studied on the concentration of Na+ and K+ in the serum and uterine flushings of ovariectomized, mated and cyclic rats. In ovariectomized rats, both extracts given alone did not alter the K+ content of the uterine flushings but when administered with estradiol dipropionate (EDP), a partial antagonism was observed when compared to EDP given alone. Conjoint treatment of extracts with EDP plus progesterone did not induce any significant change. In mated rats, both extracts did not alter the concentration of Na+ on the day of implantation but decreased significantly the concentration of K+ in uterine fluid. In cyclic rats, the administration of the extracts for 6 and 12 days did not cause any significant change in the concentration of K+ of uterine flushings but their administration for 18 days caused a significant decrease. In all three experiments, the concentration of Na+ in uterine flushings and of Na+ and K+ of serum did not show any significant changes.

Anti-implantation Efficacy of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Moringa concanensis Nimmo in Rats

Various extracts of the different parts of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Moringa coneanensis Nimmo have been investigated for their antifertility activity in rats. Aqueous extracts of the roots of both...