A comparative study of eugenol and Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaf extract on the antifertility effect in female albino rats.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the antifertility efficacy of eugenol (EUG) and Ocimum sanctum (OS) leaf extract in female albino rats.

Methods: The healthy female albino rats were administered with EUG (99% pure) at a dose of 0.4 ml/day/rat and OS Linn. (Tulsi) leaf extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day/rat orally for 15 days. One-way ANOVA analysis with Dunnetts multiple comparison test is used for analyzing data.

Results: The total duration of estrous cycle was prolonged with EUG and no significant changes with OS leaf extract administration were observed. EUG elevated serum estradiol and progesterone levels but OS leaf extract elevates only progesterone levels. Elevated ovarian proteins were observed in both administrations.

Conclusion: This study concludes that the administration of EUG and OS leaf extract significantly enhanced the serum estradiol and progesterone levels leading to reduced frequency of ovulation and results in the impairment of fertility.