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According to tribal folklore medicine the plant Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) possesses abortifacient activity in human females. The present study was carried out to validate scientifically this claimed abortifacient activity in female albino rats. In this study we assessed the abortifacient potential of stem bark of Moringa oleifera. Experimental animals were divided into two groups : Control and Moringa oleifera treated . Treated groups received diethyl ether, benzene, ethanol and distilled water extracts of the stem bark of the plant Moringa oleifera at a dose of 100mg / kg body weight. The above treatments were given from day 1 to 7 of pregnancy and on the day 10 the animals were laparotomized and the two horns of uteri were examined to determine the implantation sites. The ether, benzene, ethanol and distilled water, bark extract of Moringa oleifera exhibited significant abortifacient activity ranging from 19.3% to 100%. The ethanol stem bark extract of Moringa oleifera was found to be most effective in causing strong abortifacient activity. The phytochemical screening of the stem bark of Moringa oleifera showed positive tests for the presence of alkaloids, steroids , saponins, phenolics and tannins.
INTRODUCTION
Overpopulation is becoming a global problem causing much pressure on economic, social and natural resources. At present overpopulation around the world has retained human development in all aspects. The key message links population growth to low standards of living and family planning to economic gains.
Global search on antifertility agents is going on, to tackle the problem of population explosion. The quest for the oral contraceptive agent that can control human fertility is as old as recorded history. Although a wide variety of synthetic contraceptive agents are available these cannot be used continuously due to their severe side effects (Vervest and Haspels, 1985, Sanchez et al 1997) . Hence people are now looking back to age old tradition of using herbal medicines which have minimum side effects. A number of plant species have been tested for fertility regulation beginning about 50 years ago and were subsequently fortified by national and international agencies (Sinha 1990 , Purohit and DaradkaI999).
India in general and Satpuda forest range in particular has enormous wealth of medicinal plants. The present study was carried out to validate scientifically, the claimed antifertility...