Antifertility Effects of Aqueous Roots Extract of Alchornea cordifolia (Euphorbiaceae) on Female Albino Rats

Aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia was studied to evaluate its traditional antifertility claim. Antifertility effect of Alchornea cordifolia was evaluated according to the stages of pregnancy of female rats. In the first stage, forty female rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats/group) and respectively treated with 1 ml distilled water (control), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day of Alchornea cordifolia. After laparotomy and at parturition, sites of implantation and resorption on the uterine horns were determined. The ovaries and uterus were collected and weighed. Blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. In the second and third stage of pregnancy, treatment schedule and antifertility parameters were assessed as above for the first stage. Treated groups received daily 400 mg/kg bw of extract of Alchornea cordifolia while Control group received distilled water. It was observed in the first stage of pregnancy that, the number of resorption sites significantly (p < 0.05) decreased at 100 and 200 mg/kg. No implantation site was observed at dose 400 mg/kg after laparotomy as well as the number of pups at parturition at all doses. The body weight of ovaries and uterine horns at dose 400 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when compared to the control. The extract dose dependently decreased significantly the concentrations of serum progesterone. In the second stage of pregnancy after laparotomy and at parturition, the number of live fetus and the survival ratio significantly (p < 0.001) decreased and were associated with the vaginal discharge and bleeding of animals. In the third stage of pregnancy, the extract caused an early parturition associated with a decreased number of live fetus and the survival ratio with p < 0.001. The results indicate that aqueous roots extract of Alchornea cordifolia could induce inhibitory effects on reproductive functions in female albino rats.