Pregnancy terminating effect of Jatropha curcas in rats.

The fertility regulatory effect of the fruit of Jatropha curcas was investigated by oral administration of different extracts to pregnant rats for varying periods of time. Foetal resorption was observed with methanol, petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts indicating the abortifacient properties of the fruit. The results also suggest that the interruption of pregnancy occurred at an early stage after implantation. This effect could be accomplished even when the extracts were given from the 6th to the 8th day of pregnancy. Loss of body weight during the dosing period, ranging from slight to severe was seen in the treated animals. Marked toxicity was observed with some extracts when given over a comparatively long period of about 10 days.