Histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase in the uterus of rats: response to a few indigenous plant extracts.

Localization of alkaline phosphatase in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium of rats under the influence of 50% ethanolic and benzene extracts of three indigenous plants viz. Embelia ribes Burm. (dried berries), Artobotrys odoratissimus Linn. (fresh green leaves) and Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn. (flowers) has been studied histochemically. 75 and 150 mg/kg doses of 50% ethanolic extracts of E. ribes increased the intensity of reaction for alkaline phosphatase in both luminal and glandular epithelium, whereas extracts of A. odorantissimus and H. rosa-sinensis could not elicit any significant positive staining in luminal and glandular epithelium for alkaline phosphatase. Intense positive reaction for alkaline phosphatase due to E. ribes extract has been correlated with its estrogenic mode of action.