Antisteroidogenic Activity of Ethanol Extract of Ammania baccifera (L.) Whole Plant in Female Albino Mice Ovaries

Ethanol (90%) extract of Ammania baccifera (L.) whole plant (EEAB) was evaluated for possible antister-oidogenic activity in mature female mice ovaries. The ethanol extract at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (i.p) arrested the normal estrus cycle at dioestrus phase and significantly decreased weight of ovaries. The cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in ovaries were significantly elevated in treated mice. The extract also significantly inhibited the activity of Δ5-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (Δ5-3β-HSD) and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), the two key enzymes involved in ovar-ian steroidogenesis. Results of this study suggested that the ethanol extract of whole plant of Ammania baccifera (L.) acts as an antisteroidogenic agent.