Non-abortive effect of Adhatoda vasica spissum leaf extract by oral administration in rats

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.