PREGNANCY TERMINATING EFFECT OF JATROPHA-CURCAS IN RATS

The fertility regulatory effect of the fruit of Jatropha curcas was in vestigated by oral administration of different extracts to pregnant ra ts for varying periods of time. Foetal resorption was observed with me thanol, petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts indicating the ab ortifacient properties of the fruit. The results also suggest that the interruption of pregnancy occurred at an early stage after implantati on. This effect could be accomplished even when the extracts were give n from the 6th to the 8th day of pregnancy. Loss of body weight during the dosing period, ranging from slight to severe was seen in the trea ted animals. Marked toxicity was observed with some extracts when give n over a comparatively long period of about 10 days.