Effect of chromatographic fractions of ethanolic extract of Crotalaria juncea (L.) seeds on ovarian follicular kinetics and estrous cycle in albino rats

Abstract

In spite of considerable development in contraceptive technology, search for female antifertility agent in plants continues to be a potential area of investigation. The ethanol extract of Crotalaria juncea seeds which showed promising antiovulatory activity in female albino rats was examined for the isolation of its active fractions. Two fractions were obtained using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) of the extract. Both fractions were subjected for testing their anti-ovulation activity and estrous cycle in rats. After preliminary trials, the fraction I (200mg/kg body weights) showed maximum antiovulatory activity when administered orally to the rats for 30 days. Decreased number of healthy follicles (Class I - ClassVI) and corpora lutea and increased number of regressing follicles (Stage IA, Stage IB, Stage IIA, Stage IIB) were observed in the ovary after 30 days treatment. The treatment caused an increase in the cholesterol level and acid/alkaline phosphatase activity and a decrease in protein and glycogen contents of the ovary. Estrous cycle was affected as a significant increase in estrus and metaestrus phases and a decrease in diestrus and proestrus phases in the treated groups during experimental period of 30 days were observed. These results suggest that a fraction of ethanolic extract of crotalaria juncea might be used as a contraceptive in the females. Copyright © 2006 by Razi Institute for Drug Research (RIDR).