Evaluation of antifertility potential of Piper betle (Petiole) on female wistar rats “rising approaches of herbal contraception’’

Abstract

Piper betle (Petiole) is used of herbal methods for fertility regulation is widely accepted alternative for the synthetic drugs containing chemical having side effects. Piper betle (Petiole) is the plant having several medical properties but no reports were available on the antifertility activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifertility activity of extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) on female wistar rats at the doses 500 mg/kg b.wt./day for 30 days. Different parameters were studied in female wistar rats including effect of Reproductive outcome, Anti-implantation, Abortifacient and Estrogenic & Anti-estrogenic activity, were observed. Piper betle shown positive test for Alkaloids, Steroid, Flavonoids, Terpene, Carbohydrates and Tannin. The extract has anti-fertility effect the control rats showed good number of litters and treatment of animal with different extracts resulted a significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Antifertility activity 51% and 37.2% was exhibited by Alcoholic extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) APB and Aqueous extracts of Piper betle (Petiole) WPB respectively. After 21 days of the extracts free period, the antifertility effect of the extracts was reversed. The extract treatment with APB, an increase in the percentage of resorption index indicates the failure in development of embryo. The mean percentage of anti-implantation and abortifacient were found to be highest for APB-38.45%, WPB 13.62, and APB-28.96%, WPB-12.75% respectively. The decrement in implantation caused by the extracts may be due to estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity. However, along with standard APB exhibiting more potent estrogenic and less potent anti-estrogenic when compared with standard. Female antifertility agents should include acceptability, safety and efficacy during and after the treatment. The above results revealed the potential, reversible female antifertility effect of alcoholic extract Piper betle (Petiole).