EVALUATION OF ANTI-IMPLANTATION ACTIVITY OF LUFFA ACUTANGULA FRUIT EXTRACT ON FEMALE ALBINO RATS

The study investigates the anti-implantation and early abortifacient effects of Luffa acutangula fruit, traditionally claimed by tribals in the Pandharkawada region of Maharashtra, on female albino rats. To evaluate its efficacy, fertile male and female albino rats were paired, and the females were divided into 13 groups, including a control group receiving distilled water and 12 experimental groups administered varying doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight) of L. acutangula extracts for 1-7 days. On the 10th day of gestation, laparotomy was performed to assess implantation sites and corpora lutea counts. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids, while no toxicity symptoms were observed in the treated animals. Results indicated significant post-coital antifertility activity, with a reduction in implantation rates ranging from 12.61% to 72% across different extracts. Notably, the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts yielded higher litter sizes compared to the control group. However, other reproductive metrics, such as litter body weight, total body length, gestation period, and sex ratios, did not show significant differences when compared with controls. This research underscores the potential of Luffa acutangula as a natural anti-fertility agent, warranting further exploration into its mechanisms and applications.