Ethnopharmacological Assessment of Cyathea manniana Hook: Antifertility Activity and Acute Toxicity in Swiss Albino Rats

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cyathea manniana Hook (Amharic: Sheshino) is one of the traditionally used medicinal plants and a multipurpose tree fern that belongs to the family Cyatheaceae. The leaves of this plant are traditionally utilized for their antifertility and antibacterial activities by the Shekicho and Kafficho people, who are native to the southwestern part of Ethiopia. Aim of the Study: To investigate the abortifacient and acute toxic effects of the hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyathea manniana leaves in Swiss albino rats. Methods: Dried leaf powder of the plant was extracted using 80% ethanol in water, yielding a crude plant extract after evaporation. The extract was screened for major secondary metabolites using standard phytochemical screening techniques. Fertilization was induced by mating mature female rats with males overnight in a metallic mating cage. The antifertility effects of the crude extract were examined at doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg. Rats were anesthetized with diethyl ether for laparotomic assessment of the uterus, ovaries, and corpora lutea. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean number of corpora lutea between control and experimental groups. Results: The plant extract was relatively safe up to a dose of 500 mg/kg, with no deaths or apparent organ toxicity observed. Compared to the controls, both the 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses of the extract exhibited 80% and 100% anti-implantation activity, respectively, as well as 80% abortive activity at both doses. The extract tested positive for major metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and tannins. Conclusions: The findings of this study support the traditional claims regarding the use of Cyathea manniana for antifertility purposes. Further studies should be conducted to assess the activity of the fractionated extract, elucidate potential compounds responsible for its activity, and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying its antifertility effects. Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable.