Effect of ethanol extract of Portulaca oleracea L on ovulation and estrous cycle in female albino rats

Abstract

BackgroundThe population control is major problem as it affects the socio-economic growth of the country. So in order to control population, family planning has been promoted through several methods of synthetic contraception, but synthetic drugs have more side effects hence there is need to search safe natural contraceptive drug from medicinal plants. The Portulaca oleracea L is traditional medicinal plants used for various pharmacological activities. MethodsThe present study was to know the effect of ethanol extract of P. oleracea L (Portulacea) on ovulation, estrous cycle, and uterine weight and biochemical changes in adult rats. Female rats weighing 100 g were divided into three experimental groups. Group I was administered with 0.2 ml of 1% Tween 80, served as negative control. Group II received 0.2 ml of 250 mg/kg of body weight of ethanol extract (low dose) and group III received 500 mg/kg of body weight of ethanol extract (high dose). All the above treatment was given for 15 days daily morning between 10 and 11 am to cover 3 cycles and vaginal smear was taken daily from all the group to monitor estrous cycle and ovulation. ResultsThe uterine muscle weight was recorded; ovulation was inhibited resulting in reduced number of ova in oviduct of the high dose treated rats (2.5 + 0.2) and moderate (5.7 + 1.1) in low dose when compared with control group (8.1 + 3.2). There is an increase (761.66 + 1.5275) of uterine weight of high dose treated rats compared to control group (222.66 + 2.5166). The ethanol extract at high dose (500 mg/kg of b. w) was found to possess estrogenic activity when tested in immature ovariectomized female albino rats. ConclusionThese findings proved the pharmacological basis for the traditional use of this plant for contraceptive purpose in India.