Antifertility potential of leaves and seeds of Delonix regia in female rats

Objective:To evaluate the antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Delonix regia(Boj.ex Hook.)Raf.leaves and seeds which are traditionally being used by Yanadi tribe to treat dysmenorrhea.Methods:Three experimental animal models,including anti-implantation,early abortifacient,and estrogenic activity in female rats,were used for evaluation of the antifertility activity of both extracts at two dose levels(250 and 500 mg/kg,orally).There were five groups in the anti-implantation and early abortifacient activity while six groups in estrogenic activity including the standard.The number of implants,resorptions,vaginal cornification,body weight,uterus weight,and biochemical parameters were measured.Results:At doses 250 and 500 mg/kg,the leaf extract was found to have strong anti-implantation action.The extract administered at the same doses also caused a significant rise in the number of resorptions,showing early abortifacient activity,increased uterine weight,and altered numerous biochemical parameters.Meanwhile,the seed extract only displayed slight anti-implantation activity at both levels.Conclusions:Based on these preliminary findings,we can conclude that the leaf extract outperformed the seed extract in terms of antifertility activity,exhibiting potent estrogenic,anti-implantation and early abortifacient activities in a dose-dependent manner.These findings are consistent with the literature study and corroborate to the antifertility activity of the plant.