Experimental studies on artemisia vulgaris - a possible antifertility drug

The effect of alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris Linn on estrous cycle and implantation, in female albino rats, was studied. The drug induced an irregular estrous cycle with random disappearance of estrous phase and increase in the number of metestrus phases within the estrous cycle, observed for the total test period of 18 days. It exhibited 80% anti-implantation activity without showing any gross malformations in pups delivered, possibly due to its non-toxic nature even at the high dose of 3000 mg/kg p.o. These facts suggest the drug to possess some antifertility effect.