Antiimplantation And Abortifacient Activities Of Oxalis corniculata In Albino Rats

Abstract

Petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of the whole plant of Oxalis corniculata were administered orally at the dose level of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight from day 1 to 7 of pregnancy to evaluate the antiimplantation activity. Though all the treated groups showed significant antiimplantation activity when laparotomised on day 10, it was maximum (76.42%) with the high dose of petroleum ether extract. Upon withdrawal of the treatments the rats which retained the implantation continued pregnancy. The pregnant rats which received the treatment from day 8 to 14 of pregnancy showed abortifacient activity and it was maximum (78.55%) with high dose of petroleum ether extract.

Keywords: Oxalis corniculata; Oxalidaceae; Albino rat; Antiimplantation; Abortifacient; Pregnancy

Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 58-60