EVALUATION OF ANTI-FERTILITY ACTIVITY OF RUBIA CORDIFOLIA LINN. ROOT EXTRACTS IN FEMALE RATS

Background: Traditional medicinal systems have long used Rubiacordifolia as a remedy for various reproductive and gynecological disorders.However, its antifertility potential remains scientifically underexplored. Theobjective is to evaluate the antifertility activity of aqueous and ethanolic rootextracts of Rubia cordifolia in female Wistar rats. Methods: Ethanolic(EERC) and aqueous (AERC) extracts were prepared and subjected tophytochemical screening. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated as per OECDguideline 420. Female rats were treated with the extracts (200 mg/kg, orally)during the first seven days of pregnancy. Anti-implantation and abortifacienteffects were assessed on day 10. Histopathological analysis of uterine tissuewas also performed. Results: Both extracts were non-toxic up to 2000mg/kg. EERC showed 85% abortifacient and 25% anti-implantation activity,while AERC demonstrated 50% activity for both parameters. Phytochemicalscreening revealed alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and phenolics.Histology showed mild uterine epithelial hyperplasia with EERC, andnormal uterine structure with AERC. Conclusion: Rubia cordifolia rootextracts exhibit significant antifertility activity through anti-implantation andabortifacient effects, likely due to estrogenic phytoconstituents. Thesefindings support its traditional use and suggest potential for development ofplant-based contraceptive agents.