Ziziphus mauritiana lam. (Rhamnaceae) is traditionally used as contraceptive. The saponin fraction of the bark was screened for antifertility activity in proven female rats at 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600mg/kg body weight. The saponin fraction exhibited 100% antiimplantation and antifertility activity when given orally at 600mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, the saponin fraction prolonged significantly the estrous cycle(p<0.01) and the diestrous phase (p<0.01) of the rats. The saponin fraction also exhibited estrogenic activity tested in immature overiactomised female rats. The present study indicates that the saponin fraction of Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. has antifertility effect.
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