Evaluation of Antifertility activity from Stem Part of Ocimum gratissimum in Acetone extracts

Acetone extract of Stem of Ocimum gratissimum was screened for the antifertility activity in proven fertile female albino rats at the doses 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg b.wt./day. Oral administration of the extract to mated female rats on days 1-5 of pregnancy resulted in a decline in the fertility index, numbers of uterine implants and live fetuses in a dose dependent manner as was confirmed by laparotomy on day 15 of pregnancy. The extract (100 mg/kg b.wt.) exhibited weak estrogenic activity when given alone and tested in immature bilaterally ovariectomized female albino rats, but exhibited slight antiestrogenic activity when administration along with estradiol valerate (0.1 mg/kg b.wt.). Blood sugar and haematological parameters were within normal range. Thus, the results of the present study indicate that the acetoneextract of Ocimum gratissimum stem possesses pregnancy terminating effect by virtue of anti-implantation activity.