ANTIFERTILITY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM FRUIT IN FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Semecarpus  anacardium plant derivatives has been used since antiquity, The fruit and nut extract of Semecarpus anacardium shows various activities like antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antireproductive, CNS stimulant, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic, antifertlity effects. The present study is an attempt to explore the antiovulatory effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of fruits of Semecarpus anacardium plant in female albino rats. Objective: To study the antiovulatory activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Semecarpus Anacardium fruit in female albino rats. Materials and Methods: Total of 54 Wistar female albino rats were selected weighing about 150 – 200 grams with atleast three regular estrous cycles were divided into 9 groups containing 6 ratseach were administered aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Semecarpus anacardium fruit both were administered in doses of 200,400,600,800 mg/kg, b.wt for different group daily for 21 days and estrous cycle monitored for 30 days daily. Control group received vehicle (Tween 80 1%, p.o. daily) and the estrous cycle was monitored daily, doses for the study selected after acute toxicity studies. Results: The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Semecarpus anacardium fruit found to possess highly significant (P<0.05) increasing Diestrus index in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Semecarpus anacardium fruit has got reversible antiovulatory effects on female albino rats