ANTIFERTILITY ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BAUHINIA RACEMOSA LAM BARK IN FEMALE ALBINO RATS

The present study was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the antifertility activity of Bauhinia racemosa bark methanol extract (Br-M extract) by antiovulatory and estrogenic activity models in immature female rats. The extracts were tested for their effect on the estrous cycle at two dose levels of 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. Br-M extract at both the dose levels was found to be effective, showing significant antiovulatory activity. For estrogenic activity, the extracts were administered orally once daily at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg, and the activity was compared with the standard drug ethinyl estradiol (0.02 mg). The extracts caused significant increase in uterine weight compared to the control. The methanolic extract exhibited estrogenic activity. The histological study of epithelium tissues with the 300 mg of Br-M extract-treated animals showed better increases in the height of the luminal epithelium and loose edematous stroma when compared with the 150 mg of Br-M extract-treated group of animals. However, the lower dose was better than the control group of animals. Enhanced uterine weight and increase in the height of luminal epithelium and histological characteristics suggest that Br-M extract may be useful in anti-fertility therapy.