Contraceptive effects of Phyllanthus amarus in female mice

Antifertility effects of an alcohol extract of the whole plant, Phyllanthus amarus at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for 30 days orally was investiga ted in cyclic adult female mice. The results revealed no significant change in absolute body and organ weights in extract-fed animals, indicating no a lteration in general metabolic status. Further, feeding had no effect on ha ematological and clinical biochemical tests reflecting its non-toxicity, Si milarly, uterine and ovarian biochemical tests showed no change except in 3 beta and 17 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (HSDs) levels, probably aff ecting hormonal conversions in the latter. Cohabited females with normal ma le mice were unable to become pregnant as their cyclicity was affected, The se factors are related to a change in the hormonal milieu that governs fema le reproductive function. Upon withdrawal of feeding for 45 days, these eff ects were reversible. Thus this extract manifests a definite contraceptive effect in female mice. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.