Anti-fertility properties of Cissus rotundifolia (Forssk.) Vahl. Extract using female Wistar rats

A third of the worldwide disease burden among women in their reproductive age ( 15-45 years) is associated with sexual and reproductive complications. The developing world experiences an unmet contraceptive demand that affects nearly 200 million women. The high rates of unintended pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa increase the prevalence of unsafe abortions in nations. The use of conventional steroids and non-steroid based contraceptives though effective is also linked to increasing side effects. The roots decoction of Cissus rotundifolia is used by women in Tana River County, Kenya as a fertility regulator. The study evaluated the phytochemical compounds present in the Cissus rotundifolia aqueous extract. It also evaluated the effect of the plant extract on oestrus cycle and other selected female reproductive parameters; mating success, fertility index, gestation length, and litter size using female Wistar rats. The phytochemical screening established the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides in the root aqueous extract of Cissus rotundifolia. The plant extract caused a dose-dependent significance increase in proestrus and metestrus phases and a significant reduction in estrus and diestrus phases (P