Abstract

ABORTIFACIENT ACTIVITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PHYTOCHEMICALS, UTEROTONIC MECHANISMS, REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY, PHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE, SAFETY EVALUATION, CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Dhananjay, Shiv Kumar Bhardwaj*

ABSTRACT

Abortifacient medicinal plants have been traditionally used in various ethnomedical systems for fertility regulation and termination of unwanted pregnancy. This systematic scientific review critically evaluates phytochemical constituents, uterotonic mechanisms, reproductive toxicology, pharmacological evidence, safety assessment and clinical implications of plant-derived abortifacients. Literature from pharmacognosy, toxicology and experimental pharmacology indicates that alkaloids, diterpenoids, flavonoids, saponins and essential oils contribute to uterine contractility, hormonal disruption, embryotoxicity and implantation failure. Experimental studies using rodent and in-vitro uterine models demonstrate dose-dependent abortifacient and antifertility effects. However, variability in extraction methods, standardization and toxicity profiles raises safety concerns. Clinical evidence remains limited. Rigorous toxicologicalscreening, phytochemical standardization and controlled trials are essential before therapeutic translation of traditional abortifacient plants into modern reproductive healthcare.

Keywords: Abortifacient medicinal plants; uterotonic phytochemicals; reproductive toxicology; antifertility pharmacology; herbal safety evaluation.