JOURNAL CLUB PRESENTATION

“SCREENING OF HERBAL
CONTRACEPTIVE”
PRESENTED BY: Dr. DISHA GUPTA
2nd Yr. PG SCHOLAR
DEPT. OF RASASHASTRA & BHAISHAJYA KALPANA
Contents
● About the journal
● Title of article
● Authors
● Abstract
● Content of article
● Conclusion
● References
● Merits and demerits
About the journal
● International Journal of Multidisciplinary Health Sciences (IJMHS) is a double blind
peer reviewed online journal, giving priority for research in health sciences and will
be published quarterly.
● This journal is a platform for the researchers for their publication as it reaches
globally. It publishes original research articles in the field of Medicine, Dental,
Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Pharmacy, Alternative medicine and allied health
disciplines.
● All manuscripts contributed to IJMHS will be subjected to rigorous editorial &
double blind expert peer review process considering that the same have not been
published previously and also are not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
● ISSN: 2394 9406
● IJMHS; Vol. V, Issue: III, JUL-SEPT 2019
Title of article

“SCREENING OF HERBAL CONTRACEPTIVE”

Authors
● Dr. Pranali P. Dounde 1 , Dr. Hemalata Kongi2 , Dr.Hrishikesh Metkari 3
1 PG Scholar, Dept. of Strirog and Prasuti Tantra

2 Professor, Professor, Dept. of Strirog and Prasuti Tantra

3Associate Professor, Dept. of Strirog and Prasuti Tantra.

{ L.R.P. Ayurvedic Medical College, Hospital, P.G. Institute & Research Center

Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra }

● Corresponding Authors Email ID: [email protected]

Abstract
● The population of world is increasing much faster.
● It is affecting many socio economic conditions.
● The population control is now becoming a national priority.
● The contraceptives are used in modern medicines long back.
● There are also many new contraceptives available but they have
various side effect.
● Many contraceptive method have a higher failure rate so there is
need for new approach for the problem.
● In ayurvedic text many drugs are explained which prevents the pregnancy
which is called Garbhanirodhak drugs.
● In Samhitas the contraception is explained by describing the four necessary
factors like ritu (Time period), Kshetra (uterus), Ambu (liquid secretions) and
Beeja (ovum & sperm).
● The union of one or two factors is necessary for fertility and if we restrict the
union of one or two factors we can prevent the conception. In this paper we are
going to study various Garbhanirodhak drugs and Kalpas mentioned in ancient
texts.
Keywords –

Herbal contraceptive, Ayurvedic, Garbhanirodhak, Antiovulation, Abortifacient.

Introduction
● Rapid growth in population is burning problem in world wide.
● Family planning saves woman’s lives and prevents unintended pregnancies;
slowers population growth, improves health and living standard.
● Contraception is a method used to prevent pregnancy. Contraception includes all
measures temporary or permanent, designed to prevent pregnancy due to the
coital act.
● Several hormonal contraceptive developed and used till date but as they are
chemical based, expensive and some side effects (temporary and permanent) like
nausea, weight gain, headache, CA of cervix, CA of breast etc. there is a need of
some other alternative to the hormonal contraceptive.
Need of Herbal Contraceptives
● Most of the world’s contraceptive users are women. As women from rural
areas and developing countries found difficulty in accessing modern
contraceptives so Herbal contraceptives provides an opportunity for them to
use cheap, potential and efficient drugs having lesser side effects.
● Various herbs have been used from a long time to induce infertility, and
modern research has tested and confirmed anti-fertility effects in most of
the herbs.
● The high cost of modern drugs, unavailability in remote areas and severe
side effects have increased the demand of herbal medicines which are
obtained from the plant extracts.
Mode of action of herbal drugs
● Herbal drugs induce infertility in distinct ways.
● They may affect on ovary, uterus, hormone production, inhibition of
hormonal action, interfere with implantation, sperm production; some
prevent fertilization by generating a productive layer around an egg.
According to these action the plant can be divided into different categories as:
S.No. Plants Mode of Action on Reproductive System

1. Antifertility plants Prevents fertilization

2. Anti-ovulatory plants Inhibits ovulation
3. Anti-implantation plants Blocking implantation
4. Abortifacient plants Causing early abortion
Active Ingredients present in medicinal plants
● It is also known that the active ingredients present in plants that would
be helpful in obtaining drug could be Alkaloids, Glycosides, Saponins,
Tannins, Terpenoids, Isoflavonoids etc.
● It was observed that Alkaloids are the only phyto constituents that may
be responsible for altering the reproductive systems in animals &human,
in plants studied before.
Herbal Plants for Contraception
in Females
1) Piper longum (S.N. Pippali, E.N.
Indian long pepper) Piperaceae

Ras panchak of Pippali, ● Piperine is major alkaloid of

peppers.
● Ras (taste) is Katu (pungent),
● Root powder exhibited antifertility
● Vipak (metabolism) is Madhur activity.
(sweet), ● According to
● Virya (potency) Anushnasheet, AcharyaBhavaprakash women who
● Guna (quality) Laghu (light) use equal quantity of powdered
Snigdha (unctuousness), Pippali, Vidang and Tankan with
Tikshna(fast acting) water or milk during Ritukal does
not conceive.
Evidenced based effect of Pippali on female contraception
● Hexane fraction of fruit of Piper longum (PLHF) at doses 150mg and
250mg/kg were given to mature female rats for thirty days.
● PLHF treatment prolonged the length of estrous cycle and there was drastic
reduction in the number of implantation sites, marked suppression in the
ovarian cytokines, cyclooxygenase-2 and nitric acid level, histopathological
degeneration of uterine glands and endometrial epithelial cells.
● The serum level of LH, FSH and estradiol were altered.
● It seems that hexane fraction is potent contraceptive, Benzene extract of
Piper longum in combination with methanol extract of Embelia ribes berries
lead to inhibition pregnancy in 80% of animals
2)Embelia ribes (S.N. Vaividang,
E.N. Embelia) Myrsinaceae

Ras Panchak of Embelia ribes are

● Ras Katu Kashaya (astringent),

● Vipak Katu,
● On phytochemical analysis
● Virya Usna,
Berries gave quinones, embelin,
● Guna Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
embolic acid, glycosides,
saponins, tannins, and phenolic
compounds.
● Active principles are found to
be oestrogenic and weakly
progestogenic.
Evidenced based effect of vaividang on female contraception

● Embelin, isolated from the berries, shows significant anti- implantation and
post coital antifertility activity. (Successful trials have been carried out at
the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi on human beings.

● Embelin (embelic acid; 2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1,4- benzoquinone), has

been investigated for its activity, It provoked emarkable anti implantation
activity when administered at 50 and 100 mg/kg doses.
3) Plumbago zeylanica (S.N.
Chitrak, E.N. Lead wort.)
Plumbaginaceae
Raspanchak of Chitrak is Phytochemical constituents
present in Chitrak are
Ras Katu,
plumbagin, alkaloids,
Vipak Katu,
glycosides, reducing sugar,
Virya Usna, simple phenolics, tannins,
lignin, saponin and flavonoids.
Guna Laghu Ruksha Tikshna

According to Yog Ratnakar, Widow Woman of high family gets herself aborted by using one
Karsa (12g) root of Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) petted with juice of Nirgundi (Vitex
negundo) and mixed with honey.Its root is used as abortifacient. Fresh root is used as intra
vaginal insertion device which acts like abortifacient. Five to six pieces of fresh root are dipped
in 20- 30 ml of cold water for ten minutes and two tea spoon of decoction is taken twice a day
for a single day, act like abortifacient
Evidenced based effect of Chitrak on female contraception

A study reveals that the Plumbagin free alcohol extract (PFAE) of

Plumbago zeylanica root exhibit significant anti implantation and
Abortifacient activity at the tested dose levels (300mg and 500mg/kg)
4) Azadirachta indica (S.N. Nimba,
E.N. margosa tree) Meliaceae

On phytochemical analysis chemical

constituents present are nimbin, According to Yog ratnakar, the woman
nimbidin, nimbosterol, nimbidol, who after ritukala properly fumigates
Volatile oils, tannins, margosin, her vaginal canal with the wood of
glucoside, aminoacid, calcium, Nimba (Azadirachta indica) never
Potassium,Iron. conceives Neem oil, traditional plant
product, for long term and reversible
locking of fertility after a single intra
uterine application is described.
Evidenced based effect of nimba on female contraception

In this study neem oil, a single dose (100µl) was given to fertile female Wistar rats
by intrauterine route and control group animals received the same volume of peanut
oil. The rats treated with neem oil remained infertile from 107 to 180 days even
after repeated mating with males of proven fertility, whereas all control animals
become pregnant.

Another study reveal that Neem oil is pressed from the bark of Azadirachta indica
is considered as spermicidal agent when used intra vaginally. It also has
antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
5)Daturametel
(S.N.Datura,E.N.thornApple) Solanaceae

Ras Panchak of datura metel

Ras Tikta,Katu,
According to Yog Ratnakar there is no chance of
Vipak Katu, conception to the women having coitus after tying
Virya Usna, in the waist the root of datura uprooted on 14th
day of first fortnight of lunar month. Once she
Guna Laghu, Ruksha, Vyavayi, removes this root she Conceives. Filling of
Vikashi vaginal canal with the powder of above mentioned
On phytochemical analysis root of datura before coitus also prevents
hyoscimine, scopolamine, conception. Fresh root paste decoction of Datura
hysciamine, atropine, metel should be prepared and 2 teaspoon
meteolodine, nor hyosciamine decoction is taken once a day for five days in
constituents are found. empty stomach act as abortifacient.
Evidenced based effect of datura on female contraception

A study on the acetone extracts of Datura metel seed

administered orally in the concentration of 0.5%, 1% and
2% respectively for 15 days in female albino rats shows 2%
seed extract cause cent percent anti-implantation activity.
6) Hibiscus rosa sinensis (S.N.
Japa, E.N. Hibiscus) Malvaceae
Ras Panchak of hibiscus

Ras kshaya, Tikta,

According to Bhav Prakash Chikitsa
Vipak Katu,
sthan 70 the menstruating woman
Virya Shita, who uses flowers of Japa (Hibiscus
Guna Laghu, Ruksha rosa sinensis) mixed with Kanji
followed by 100 years old jaggery in
On phytochemical analysis the
constituent present in hibiscus are the dose of one pal (48 g) for three
steroids, tannins, saponins and consecutive days do not conceive.
flavonoids.
Evidenced based effect of Japa on female contraception

In an experimental study Hibiscus rosa sinensis

(kanji bhavit japa kusum) oral drug has proved
temporary contraceptive medicine in albino rats
7) Sapindus trifoliatus (S.N.
Arishtak, E.N. soap nut tree of south
India) Sapindaceae.

Ras Panchak of arishtak

Ras Tikta, Katu,

Evidence: A study reveals that the
Vipak Katu,
butanol extract of fruits of Sapindus
Virya Usna, trifoliatus at a dose of 20 mg/kg body
Guna Laghu,Tikasana weight inhibited fetal implantation 100%
On phytochemical analysis -Saponin, sugar,
and also exhibits antiestrogenic activity.
oil, mukoroside, proteins are present. Significant variations found in gonadal
Saponins from Sapindus Trifoliatus are known and gonadotrophic hormone in serum.
to be spermicidal. This spermicidal property Toxicity studies reveal nontoxic nature of
has been used in ontraceptive cream.
the extract.
8) Daucas carrota (S.N.
Grinjana, E.N. carrot)Apiaceae

Ras panchak of ducas carrota

Ras madhur, kashaya,

Vipak madhura, Women have used the seeds

Virya usna from Daucus carota,
commonly known as wild
On phytochemical analysis protein,
carbohydrate, carrotin, vitamin B, D and carrot or queen Anne's Lace,
C, phosphorus, iron are present. for centuries as a
According to Rajnighantukar the seeds of contraceptive.
Daucas carrota are Garbhpat Krita.
Evidenced based effect of Grinjan on female contraception

Extract of seed of plant showed petroleum, ether, benzene,

alcohol and water 85%, 95%, 92%, 50% of anti
implantation activity, respectively. On animal experiments
this drug is found to have antifertility property.
9)Caricapapaya
(S.n.ErandkarkatiE.n. papaya)
Caricaceae

Raspanchak of papaya are

Shri bapa lal Vaidya said that the
Ras katu tikta,
seeds of Carica pappya act as
Vipak katu
abortifacient. Fresh or dried seeds
Virya usna, paste is prepared, 2 teaspoon paste
Guna Laghu Ruksha Tikshna decoction taken every day after
On phytochemical analysis papain, menstrual period till commencement
caricine, carposide glycoside, of next menstrual period. It acts as
myrocine,carpasemine are present. contraceptive.
10) Cucuma longa (S.n. Haridra,
E.N. turmeric) Zingiberaceae

Ras panchak of haridra

Ras Katu and Tikta,

Vipak Katu, One piece of the node of the

Virya Usna, rhizome of haridra should be
Guna Ruksha Laghu taken every day, for six days
(three days during menses
Chemical constituents present in
haridra are curcumin, flavonoids, and three days thereafter)
amino acids and alkaloids. produce sterility.
Evidenced based effect of Haridra on female contraception

Curcuma longa was given to albino rats caused suppression of the

oestrous phase and suppression of ovulation. The petroleum and
aqueous extract showed 100% anti- implantation in rats at a dose of
200mg/kg body weight when fed orally on days 1 to 7 of pregnancy.
11)Gloriosa superba (S.n. Langli,
E.n. malabar glory lily) Liliaceae

Ras Panchak of Langli,

Ras Katu,
Vipak Katu, Chemical constituent present in
langli are Colchicine, Gloriosine,
Virya Usna,
superbine benzoic acid, Salisilic
Guna Laghu, Tikhshna acid, Colin, and Sugar.The root
Prabhav Garbhpatan. of langli act as Abortifacient
(Garbhapatni)
Evidenced based effect of Langli on female contraception
In a study, Oral administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Gloriosasuperba at two different doses
(30 and 60 mg/kg body wt) showed most significant dose dependent anti-fertility activity.

The treated animals showed anti-implantation activity in postcoital study (administered from days 1
to 7). This study clearly reveals that the extract is effective before and after the implantation
occurred. Hence, the drug indicated the highest anti-fertility activity. The loss of implantation may
be dueto their anti-zygotic, blastocytotoxic, anti-implantation or by early abortifacient activity.

There are too many more plants used as contraceptives, we can

classify them according to their activity such as estrous cycle
disruptors, antiestrogenic, anti-implantation, abortifacient.
 Anti-Fertility Procedures in Ayurvedic Texts
i) Local methods ii) Oral methods

1) Applying the paste prepared with the seeds of 1) Administration of powdered Pippali , Vidanga
Palasa (Butea Rondosa) and Honey during rutukal and Tankana with milk during rutukala.
into vagina. 2) Administration of paste prepared with of Patha
leaves after Rtukala.
2) Vaginal insertion of Saindhava lavana and
Taila before coitus. 3) Administration of Talisapatra, Gairika and Cold
water during rutukal.
3) Vaginal fumigation with Nimba (Wood of
4) Administration of Fried Jyotismsti Leaf paste
Azadirachta indica) during Rutukala.
along with Japa pushpa and water initiates the
4) Vaginal filling with Root of Datura metel) before menstruation.
coitus.' 5) Administration of Vibhitaki bija with
Tandulodaka (Rice water) during Ritukala for
5) Tying the root of Datura metel in waist before
seven days.
coitus.
iii) Abortificients

1) Insertion of Erenda Patra in to vagina.

2) Oral administration of Grinjana bija, Dadima

mula, Tuvari and Nagasindura with water.

3) Oral administration of Citraka mula

triturated with Nirgundi svarasa and Madhu.

4) Oral administration of Scrapped lime powder

from the walls of temples with water.

5) Oral administration of Sarsapa taila,

Vatsanabha, Ajamoda, Saindhava, Kaliji and
feces of horse.
● Similarly a good number of local/oral contraceptive methods
are explained in recent classics, which may act as anti
ovulatory or anti implantation or abortificient agents.

● It is very essential to establish their actual efficacy, probable

mode of action through well-designed experimental and clinical
trials.
CONCLUSION
● Woman plays important role in the family, she is also responsible for the well
being of the family so women’s health need to be safe and effective with minimal
side effects.
● Family planning program and contraception has become an integral part of
woman’s health care so to empower her with prioritizing her duties.
● Medicinal plant extracts contain some active ingredients which are responsible
for the antifertility effect.
● A number of herbs have been tested to induce infertility but they need to be
taken daily to maintain its effect.
● In various studies herbal compound had shown minimal side effects in
comparison to the chemical compound so the value of the traditional knowledge
of herbal contraceptive need to be highlighted to the masses in order to make it
more acceptable and practiced.
 Merits and Demerits
MERITS : DEMERITS :
1. Detailed description of need of Herbal 1. Grammatical Mistakes and Spelling Mistakes
Contraceptives is discussed. have been noticed
2. List of plants with anti fertility properties is 2. Active ingredients useful for antifertility
mentioned. activity not discussed in detail.
3. List of plants useful for various uterine 3. Not all plants have been included in the list.
activities is mentioned. 4. Only herbal components are mentioned, mineral
4. Evidence based on the plants is discussed. components with antifertility activity have not
5. References for Local and Oral anti fertility been discussed.
methods are given accurately. 5. Not all references mentioned in the article are
6. Abortificient methods are also mentioned. available.
7. Rasapanchaka and phytoconstituents of each 6. Discussion not mentioned, thus IMRAD not
drug has been mentioned. followed.
8. Mode of action of herbal drugs in uterine
activity is discussed
THANK YOU