In vivo antifertility activity and phytochemical screening of selected Kenyan medicinal plants

Background: Medicinal plants are reported in folklore to play a role as fertility control agents. Very few studies have been carried out to confirm the safety and efficacy of medicinal plants used as anti-fertility agents. Objective: To establish anti-fertility activity, safety, effect on genital organs and estrous cycle, and phytochemical profile of total extracts from Terminalia brownii , Ximenia americana , Bridelia micrantha, Rhoicissus revoilii, and Ocimum masaiense . Methodology: Extracts of water and organic solvents were administered to female mice at a dose of 800 mg/kg orally for antifertility tests and at a dose of 0 to 5000mg/kg orally for acute toxicity test. Phytochemical screening was done using thin layer chromatography. Results: The leaf water extracts of the Bridelia micrantha , Ximenia americana showed a reversible anti-fertility effect while ethyl acetate extracts of the stem bark of Terminalia brownii had an irreversible anti-fertility effect. The bioactive extracts had an effect on the estrus cycle and had different phytochemical compounds with no  signs of toxicity. Discussion: The plant extracts tested exhibited antifertility activity, suggesting potential alternative to the current birth control methods. Compounds such as steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids present in the bioactive extracts may have contributed to the anti-fertility activity. Key words: Anti-fertility; Bridelia micrantha ; Terminalia brownii ; Ximenia Americana