Influence of seasonal variation on steroidal content and in vivo post-coital antifertility activity of bark extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima Linn

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that seasonal variations in phytoconstituent levels eventually lead to alterations in the biological activities of the plant materials. The research assessed the effects of seasonal changes on β-sitosterol levels and the anti-fertility properties of two solvated bark extracts (ethanol and water) from Caesalpinia pulcherrima (CP) Linn. in female rats. Materials and methodsSoxhlet and hot reflux extraction with ethanol and water solvents were used to separate the active components from the barks. The phytochemical screening, characterization, and in-vivo antifertility activity in female rats were carried out to determine the presence of bioactive components. Two dosages of the extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) were chosen based on the results of an acute toxicity investigation. Uterine tissue histopathology was performed to analyze the effects of various treatments. The data was statistically examined and p value less than 0.05 was considered to reflect the significance. ResultsThe extracts were characterized for the presence of beta-sitosterol using FT-IR, H1-NMR, and HR-Mass. The animals were able to withstand a dose of up to 2000 mg/kg without exhibiting any toxicological signs or symptoms. Based on in vivo investigations, an ethanolic extract of the bark showed 88.93 % and 77.21 % anti-implantation action at 200 and 400 mg/kg, while an aqueous extract showed 78.31 and 70.52 % activity at the same doses. When compared to the control, the anti-implantation and estrogenic actions of both extracts were shown to be statistically significant (p<0.001). The abortifacient effect in the rainy season ethanolic extract was linear and dose-dependent, as compared to the control (p<0.001). ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that the presence of the phytosterol beta Sitosterol in Caesalpinia pulcherrima (CP) Linn. is responsible for its post-coital antifertility effect. It appears that the amount of beta-sitosterol in the plant, which may have an antifertility effect, is greatly affected by seasonal change.