Post-Coital Antiimplantation and Pregnancy Interruption Potency of the Seeds of Crotalaria juncea Linn

The petroleum ether, benzene and alcohol extracts of the seeds of C.juncea were tested for antiimplantation and pregnancy interruption activities in female albino rats. Out of these three extracts the alcohol extract was found to be the most effective in causing antiimplantation and pregnancy interruption activities. These adverse effects on fertility are reversible on withdrawl of the treatment of the extracts. The alcohol extract upon testing showed to possess estrogenic activity. Among the three extracts subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, the alcohol extract showed positive tests for alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoides, fixed oils, phenols and tannins.