41OVARIAN ANTISTEROIDOGENIC EFFECT OF THREE ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS IN PREPUBERTAL FEMALE MICEThis study is a part of an integrated systematic approach to develop effective oral contraceptive agents from ethnomedicinal plants which are traditionally used to induce sterility in women. In the present investigation, the effect of ethanol extracts of Mitragyna parvifolia bark (EEMP), Plumeria rubra flowers (EEPR), and Zizyphus xylopyrus fruits (EEZX) at two different dose levels were studied on the onset of reproductive maturity and the ovarian steroidogenesis. All three plants caused remarkably (P<0.01) a dose-dependent delay in sexual maturation in as evidenced by the age at vaginal opening and appearance of first estrus. Further, statistically (P<0.05) a dose-dependent elevation of the ovarian cholesterol, ascorbic acid and protein contents were noted elevated. At the same time, three plants treatment also resulted in significantly (P<0.05) a dosedependent diminution of ∆5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (∆5-3β-HSD) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6- PDH) activities along with a reduction in the weight of ovary and uterus. Of the three plants, the EEZX showed produced more effects followed by EEMP. On the basis of above said results, it is suggested that the probable cause of delayed maturation in selected ethnomedicinal plants-treated immature mice is due to the suppressed ovarian steroidogenesis which, further, supports the traditional use of these plants as contraceptives.ramaiyandhanapal@gmail.comResearch312012Ethnomedicinal plants,ovarian steroidogenesis, G-6-PDH,∆5-3β-HSD,prepubertal mouseRamaiyan Dhanapal,J. Vijaya Ratna,M. Gupta,I. SarathchandiranDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Kakatiya Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KIPS), Pembarthi (V), Hasanparthy (M), Warangal, Andhra Pradesh, India-506 371.,Pharmaceutical Technology Division, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India-530003.,Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Division of Pharmacology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India-700032.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Gokula Krishna College of Pharmacy, Sullurpet, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India-524 121.