Abstract

The possible abortive effect of an extract of Adhatoda vasica leaf spissum, was studied in rats. The principal alkaloid detected in the extract was vasicine (0.85 ±0.03%). The extract (325 mg/kg/day) was administered with a gastric cannula to a group of 5 pregnant females between day 1 and 9 of pregnancy. In another experiment 9 pregnant females received in the water 0.25 and 2.5% of Adhatoda vasica between day 1 and 9 of pregnancy. It was concluded that the administration of Adhatoda vasica did not produce abortion in any of the treated groups.