Anti-Fertility Activity of Methanol Extract of Bassia latifolia and Cajanus cajan in Female Albino Mice Ovaries

Bassia latifolia bud and Cajanus cajan seed were evaluated for anti-fertility activity in mature female mice. Anti-fertility activity was evaluated by observing the estrus cycle, body weight, wet weight of ovaries, steroidogenic enzymes, and substrates. Bassia latifolia bud and Cajanus cajan seed extract arrested normal oestrous cycle at dioestrous stage. The decrease in weight of ovary and uterus after administration of methanol extracts of Bassia latifolia bud and Cajanus cajan seed in mice is related to inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis in mature female mice. The accumulation of total cholesterol and ascorbic acid in the ovaries of the mature female mice also indicates the inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis due to the reduced activity of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase and D 5 -3b-H ydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase. The oestrus cycle of the extract-treated mice resumes to normal after 28 and 42 days respectively for both plants. Thus, the anti-fertility activities were found to be reversible.