Abstract
Many plants are known to possess antifertility activity. However, limited attempts
have been made to scientifically evaluate these claims. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers have been shown to possess antifertility and abortifacient activity. In this
report, antiimplantation activity of water extract of leaves of H. rosa-sinensis was investigated. Pregnant female mice were dosed with extract (100 mg/kg body weight)
from days 1 to 6 of pregnancy. No implantation sites were observed in treated animals
when they were surgically opened on day 15 of pregnancy. Biochemical and biophysical
alterations were observed in the endometrium in treated animals, especially on day
5, at 4:40 a.m., the day of implantation. A sharp increase in superoxide anion radical
and a sharp fall in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as seen in the endometrium
from control animals, were altered in treated animals. The extract also exhibited
antiestrogenic activity, as judged by increase in uterine weight. The physiological
alterations induced by water extract of H. rosa-sinensis are discussed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 11,
2004
Received in revised form:
October 1,
2004
Received:
August 25,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
