Antifertility activity of methanolic extract of Saccharum officinarum Linn. (leaves) on female albino rats.

Normal cyclic female Wistar strain weighing between 120-160 gm were treated with Saccharum officinarum Linn. (Leaves) methanolic extract (500 mg/day/b.wt) for 21 days. The results revealed that S.officinarum treatment caused reduction in reproductive organ weights, circulating level of estrogen, fertility, number of litters, serum glucose concentration, enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT as compared to control value. Whereas, the concentration of cholesterol increased by S.officinarum treatment, revealing non-utilization of cholesterol by the system. However the haematological parameters remained within normal range. The data suggests that the S. officinarum methanolic extract exerted antifertility and antiestrogenic effects in female rats. The effects brought by S. officinarum extract are non-toxic and transient.