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Comparative study of n-hexane extract and emulsion formulation of a phytodrug (RICOM 1013-J) on the oestrous cycle of female Wistar rats
Abstract
The seeds of Ricinus communis var minor (RICOM-1013-J) have been reported to prevent conception for a year, when taken as single oral dose of 2.5-2.7 g. In order to assess further the potency and anticonceptive effectiveness of RICOM-1013-J and to provide possible insight into its mechanism of action, the n-hexane extract and emulsion formulation of RICOM-1013-J was evaluated on the oestrous cycle of the Wistar rats. Both formulations of the drug distorted the oestrous cycle. The n-hexane extract distorted the oestrous cycle for a longer period at Dioestrous I (LI), Dioestrous II (LII) and Proestrous (N), while the emulsion formulation distorted the cycle for a longer period at Oestrous (E). There was also individual animal and group variation, which was phase dependent. It can therefore be deduced that the n-hexane extract of RICOM-1013-J had a more potent anticonceptive activity than the emulsion, which was phase dependent, but at varying degrees. This may be attributed to a slow release of the active principle in the emulsion formulation of the phytodrug.
Keywords: Ricinus communis; RICOM-1013-J; n-hexane; emulsion formulation; anticonceptive; oestrous cycle