The possible abortive effect of an extract of Adhatoda vasica leaf spi
ssum, was studied in rats. The principal alkaloid detected in the extr
act was vasicine (0.85 +/- 0.03%). The extract (325 mg/kg/day) was adm
inistered with a gastric cannula to a group of 5 pregnant females betw
een day 1 and 9 of pregnancy. In another experiment 9 pregnant females
received in the water 0.25 and 2.5% of Adhatoda vasica between day 1
and 9 of pregnancy. It was concluded that the administration of Adhato
da vasica did not produce abortion in any of the treated groups.