Postcoital contraceptive efficacy and hormonal profile of Lepidium capitatum

Postcoital interceptive activity of Wrightia tinctoria in Sprague-Dawley rats: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND

This study was aimed to investigate the pregnancy-interceptive activity of the stem bark of Wrightia tinctoria R.Br. (Family Apocynaceae) administered during the preimplantation, peri-implantation and early postimplantation periods by oral route in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats.

STUDY DESIGN

The ethanolic extract of the stem bark and its serial fractions were administered to female rats on Days 1-7 or 1-5 postcoitum (Day 1: day of sperm-positive vaginal smear) by the oral route. At autopsy on Day 10 postcoitum, the number and status of corpora lutea and implantations were recorded. For estrogen-agonistic activity, immature rats ovariectomized 7 days earlier received the test extract or the vehicle once daily for 3 days and, at autopsy on Day 4, uterine weight, status of vaginal opening and extent of vaginal cornification were recorded.

RESULTS

The ethanolic extract of the stem bark of W. tinctoria R.Br. inhibited pregnancy in 100% of rats when administered orally at a 250-mg/kg dose on Days 1-7 or 1-5 postcoitum. On fractionation, the hexane-soluble, chloroform-soluble, water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions showed 100% anti-implantation effect, while n-butanol-soluble fraction intercepted pregnancy in 75% of animals when administered in the Days 1-5 postcoitum schedule. In immature rat bioassay, the active ethanolic extract and its fractions exhibited moderate to potent estrogen-agonistic activity, which might be responsible for their contraceptive action in this species.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings demonstrate the antifertility activity of the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of W. tinctoria and its hexane-soluble, chloroform-soluble, water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. Studies that pursue promising natural products (to identify contraceptive agents from natural sources lacking potent estrogenic activity) towards a fruitful conclusion for development/lead generation should continue.

A review on potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles

Recently, a review has already been made on the synthetic contraceptive agents whereas this review embraces the natural contraceptives upto year 2001 with 355 references. It also includes the isolation of their active principles, methods of analysis of active ingredients through TLC, HPLC, their side effects and pharmacological action.

Triterpenoid saponins from Dianthus chinensis

Two novel triterpenoid saponins, dianchinenoside C [23-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyolean-12-ene 23 alpha, 28 beta-dioic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside] and dianchinenoside D [3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyolean-12-ene 23 alpha, 28 beta-dioic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl [1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] were isolated from the aerial parts of Dianthus chinensis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical evidence. We also report the revision of a previous misassignment of hainanenside, isolated from Ilex hainanensis Merr. In addition, known compounds, 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, sitosterol 3 beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, isoorientin-2"-O-glucoside, isovitexin-2"-O-glucoside, and chrysoeriol-7-O-glucoside, were also identified.

Post-coital antifertility action of Ruta graveolens in female rats and hamsters

Different preparations of Ruta graveolens were administered orally to female rats (Days 1-10 post coition) and female hamsters (Days 1-6 post coition). The powdered root (CDR), aerial parts (CDA) and the aerial parts aqueous extract (AEA) all showed potential anticonceptive activity in rats. Limited administration on selected days of CDA showed uniformly lesser activity than with 10-day treatment. Sequentially prepared petroleum ether and methanol extracts of CDA were as active as CDA itself. The benzene and chloroform extracts were toxic and inactive. Rutin, a known chemical constituent of the plant, was found to be inactive. None of the above preparations showed activity in hamsters.