EVALUATION OF ANTI - OVULATORY ACTIVITY OF PAEONIALACTIFLORA IN FEMALE WISTAR RAT

N the present study, anti - ovulatory activity was evalu ated in methanolic extract of Paeonia lactiflora. The extract is found to be a rich source of paeoniflorin known for reducing fertility. Two different concentrations of methanolic root extracts of Paeonia lactiflorawere evaluated for female antifertility ac tivity on albino wistar rats. Methanolic root extract of Paeonia lactiflora at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w was administered orally for 15 days. Treatments were stopped thereafter and animals were sacrificed after a recovery period. The methanolic ext ract of Paeonia lactiflorashowed significant anti - ovulatory activity. Pre - treatment with methanolic extract showed significant effect on estrous cycle, ovarian weight &cholesterol level at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Key words: Paeonia lactiflora, roots, anti - ov ulatory activity, ovaries, estrous cycle