Artemisia annua as a possible contraceptive agent: a clue from mammalian rat model

Abstract

In a previous study, we evaluated the maternal and fetal safety of antimalarial herb Artemisia annua with artemisinin yield of 1.09%. Here, we attempted to ascertain the contraceptive claim of A. annua. Sexually matured female Wistar rats (180–220 g) were allotted into four study groups of six rats each. The control group received normal saline, while the A. annua-treated groups received 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of A. annua for 2 weeks, followed by mating with proven fertile males (1:1). The rats were allowed to carry the pregnancy to term. At birth and weaning periods, selected reproductive outcome and fertility indices were determined. The results showed that A. annua significantly reduced litter size, reproductive outcome and fertility indices compared with the control (p <  0.05). These results imply that A. annua could serve as a prospective contraceptive agent in addition to its antimalarial activity.

Keywords::

• Artemisia annua
• contraceptive effectiveness
• reproductive outcome
• fertility indices

Acknowledgements

This work forms part of the study made possible by the 2008/2009 NAM-ICCBS fellowship awarded to Dr Abolaji A. O. The study was carried out at the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, University of Karachi, Pakistan. The ICCBS provided all the materials, equipment and reagents used for this work. The support of Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria, is appreciated.