Antifertility effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus in rats

Background: Asparagus africanus is claimed to have use in reproductive related health problems in some areas of Ethiopia. Objective: To study the potential antifertility effect of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of Asparagus africanus in rats. Methods: Water and ethanol extracts were given by gavages to rats in the in vivo test at a dose of 300 mg/kg of body weight, and rat uterine tissue were used for the in vitro test at different concentrations. Results: The aqueous extracts of the leaves and the roots showed an anti-implantation activity of 70% and 77%, respectively, while the ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots showed 48% and 61%, respectively. The antifertility activities of the aqueous and ethanol extracts were 40% (for leaves), 60% (for roots) and 20% (for leaves), 40% (for roots), respectively. All the extracts have resulted in significant (P< 0.05) reduction in the number of implants as compared with their respective controls. Each extract potentiated acetylcholine induced uterine contractions in a concentration dependent manner significantly (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that the leaves and roots of this plant may possess hormonal properties that can modulate the reproductive function of the experimental rats.