PLANT IMMUNOMODULATORS FOR TERMINATION OF UNWANTED PREGNANCY AND FOR CONTRACEPTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed and leaf extracts have spermicidal, ant i-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. They are also immu nomodulators that induce primarily a TH1 type response. These properti es are being exploited to develop two different useful methods of fert ility control. Neem extracts given orally at early post-implantation s tage terminate pregnancy in rodents and primates. Treatment has no res idual permanent effect and fertility is regained in subsequent cycles. The mechanism by which the action occurs is not fully clear. A transi ent increase in CD4 and more significantly in CD8 cells is noticed in mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. A rise in immunoreactive and bioact ive TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in draining lymph nodes, serum and foetal- placental tissue is observed. A polyherbal cream and pessary have been developed containing three active ingredients of plant origin. These have synergistic spermicidal properties on human sperm as determined b y the Sander Cramer test. Their use before mating has high contracepti ve efficacy in rabbits and baboons. Another interesting property is th eir inhibitory action on a wide spectrum of micro-organisms, including Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the multidrug -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and urinary tract Escherichia coli. H erpes simplex-2 and HIV-1. Phase I clinical trials have been completed in India, Egypt and the Dominican Republic, and indicate the safety o f the formulation, its acceptability and beneficial action invaginosis due to infections.