Discovery of the Postcoital Contraceptive Effect of <i>Rhus pentaphylla</i> in a Study of Acute, Subchronic, and Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract

In the present study, the acute, subchronic, and neurodevelopmental toxicity of Rhus pentaphylla, a Moroccan medicinal plant, was investigated in Swiss albino mice. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phenolic compounds with rutin as the principal component. The ethanolic leaf extract showed low acute toxicity with a lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀) of more than 5 g/kg. In subchronic toxicity tests, the extract resulted in an increase in body weight without affecting the biochemical parameters or tissue structure and architecture of the liver and kidneys. In addition, complete inhibition of postcoital pregnancy was observed at doses of 300 mg/kg and above. Finally, neurodevelopmental toxicity assessment revealed improved offspring body weight and behavioral performance. These results suggest that R. pentaphylla has promising potential as a natural fertility control product due to its significant postcoital contraceptive effects and favorable toxicity profile.