Evaluate the antifertility potential of ficus racemosa linn bark on female wistar rats

Abstract

Objective: The present study was formulated to evaluate the antifertility potential of Ficus racemosa Linn bark on female Wistar rats. Methods: Effects of F. racemosa bark extract were studied on physicochemical parameters, successive solvent extraction, and phytochemical screening and antifertility activity. After acute oral toxicity study, antifertility activity in proven fertile female Wistar rats at the doses 500 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days. Effects on dimensions of the reproductive outcome, anti-implantation, abortifacient, estrogenic, and antiestrogenic activity were observed. Results: Phytochemical studies of F. racemosa bark shown a positive test for alkaloids, steroid, flavonoids, terpene, carbohydrates, and tannin. The extract of F. racemosa has the antifertility effect; the control rats showed a good number of litters. Treatment of animal with different extracts resulted a significant (p<0.05, p<0.01). Antifertility activity of 56.5% and 40.3% was exhibited by alcoholic F. racemosa extract (AFR) and aqueous F. racemosa Extract (WFR), respectively. After 21 days of the extract-free period, the antifertility effect of the extracts was reversed. The extract treatment with AFR, an increase in the percentage of resorption index indicates the failure in development of embryo. The mean percentage of anti-implantation and percent resorption (abortifacient) was found to be highest for AFR-41.21%, WFR 28.07, and AFR-32.56%, WFR-20.76%, respectively. The decrement in implantation caused by the extracts may be due to estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity. However, along with standard, AFR exhibiting more potent estrogenic and less potent antiestrogenic when compared with standard. Conclusion: The above results revealed the potential, reversible female antifertility effect of alcoholic extract F. racemosa bark.