EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Persicaria hydropiper ROOT ON ESTROUS CYCLE AND REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES IN FEMALE ALBINO MICE

Persicaria hydropiper is a widely grown weed in the north eastern states of India. The plant is traditionally used as astringent, sedative and antiseptic agent and also to regulate menstrual irregularities. Rural women use the dried powder root as contraceptive agents. The aim of the present study was to validate the antifertility effect of P. hydropiper using different aspects of reproductive physiology in female albino mice. The test animals received methanolic root extract of P. hydropiper at doses of 300 mg/kg body weight and 600 mg/kg body weight for 7 and 15 days and effect on estrous cycle and reproductive hormones were investigated. In the positive control group 10 μg 17b-Estradiol/kg body weight/day (E2) was administered for 7 and 15 days. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several active ingredients like flavanoids, alkaloids, steroids and saponins. P. hydropiper caused significant decrease in the duration of estrus and proestrus phase with significant increase in the duration of diestrus phase of estrous cycle. Compared to control, the methanolic root extract of P. hydropiper altered the serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Estradiol and Progesterone levels. Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone levels were significantly reduced in both the doses. The level of progesterone was significantly decreased in mice administered with root extract (300mg/kg bw) but significantly increased when administered 600 mg/kg bw. On estradiol, the results were more prominent in mice treated with 600 mg/kg bw. The present study reveals that the methanolic root extract of P. hydropiper has antifertility effect thereby altering the secretion of gonadotrophins that may be responsible for the prolongation of diestrus phase.