Effect of medicinal plants Aloe barbadensis and Aristolohia bracteata on ovulation in rats

摘要

India as a whole is the richest source of medicinal plants, which are widely distributed through out the country (Mohammed Ali, 1994). In Indian medicine, medicinal plants Aloe barbadensis (Hindi name Grit Kumari) and Aristolohia bracteata (Hindi name Ishwari) are used as emmanagogue (agents promoting menstrual cycle) and for the treatment of various uterine disorders (Anon, 1948 and Saha et al. 1961) in women's and for estrous induction in ruminants (Lans and Brown, 1998). This preliminary study was attempted to observe the effect of ethanolic extract of the above medicinal plants on ovulation in mature female cycling female rats. Mature fresh green leaves of Aloe barbadensis and whole plant of Aristolohia bracteata were collected and identifiedbotanically. The plant materials were shadow dried, powdered and stored at room temperature. The powdered plant material was exhaustively extracted with 70 per cent ethanol, concentrated at reduced pressure to a semi solid mass and was made free from solvent. The extract material was stored at 4 deg C in closed container until use. Extract of both plants Aloe barbadensis and Aristolohia bracteata (ARE) were suspended in vehicle Polysorbate 80 (SRL Chemicals) at the rate of 0.1 ml per gram with distilledwater and solutions were prepared freshly before administration. Equal volume of Potysorbate 80 was taken with distilled water and this served as vehicle for the control animals.