Contraceptive and Estrogenic Effect of a Methanol Extract of Cassia nigricans Leaves in Experimental Animals

The methanol extract of Cassia nigricans Vadl leaves was investigated for its contraceptive activity in mice and rats. The extract dose-dependently (0.5-1.0 g/kg) protected the animals from conception for 1-4 gestational periods in mice and rats. It inhibited fetal implantation, as was confirmed by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPharmaceutical biology Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 424 - 428
Main Authors Nwafor, Paul A., Okwuasaba, F.K.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Lisse Informa UK Ltd 2001
Taylor & Francis
Swets & Zeitlinger
Subjects
Biological and medical sciences
General pharmacology
Medical sciences
Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Intraperitoneal administration
Rat
Pharmacognosy
Toxicity
Rodentia
Estrogen
Long term
Biological activity
Pregnancy
Newborn diseases
Vertebrata
Mammalia
Leguminosae
Mouse
Dicotyledones
Newborn animal
Animal
Angiospermae
Cassia
Plant origin
Spermatophyta
Contraceptive
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Summary:The methanol extract of Cassia nigricans Vadl leaves was investigated for its contraceptive activity in mice and rats. The extract dose-dependently (0.5-1.0 g/kg) protected the animals from conception for 1-4 gestational periods in mice and rats. It inhibited fetal implantation, as was confirmed by laparotomy on day 10 of pregnancy. The pups showed significant change in weight and length (p < 0.01) with 0.75 g/kg, compared to control fetal defects. In ovariectomized immature young rats and mice, there was a dose-dependent increase in uterine wet weight (p < 0.001). The extract induced uterotrophic effects or immature vaginal opening and cornification when compared with estrogen-treated groups. Its anticonceptive effect may be due in part to its anti-implantation, estrogenic and/or direct effect on the uterus.
ISSN:1388-0209
1744-5116
DOI:10.1076/phbi.39.6.424.5886