The oral acute toxicity and potential estrogenic activity of the aqueous, hexane and methanol extracts of Passiflora foetida leaves were studied in female Wistar rats. After a preliminary phytochemical study, each extract was administered separately at doses of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 5000 mg/kg to 4 groups of 6 adult female rats by oral route to determine the LD50 value. The extracts were then given respectively to 3 groups consisting of 8 adults rats at the dose of 500 mg/kg for 28 consecutive days by gavages. Vaginal smears were examined every morning from each animal to determine the effects of this extracts on the estrous cycle. The estrogenic effect of this plant was carried out by treating orally groups of 6 immature ovariectomized rats with the extracts (500 and 250 mg/kg) and/or 17β estradiol (0.02 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of sterols, polyterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponosides in the leaves of P. foetida. The oral LD50 values of the three extracts were greater than 5000 mg/kg and no behavioral abnormality was observed in the rats. The extracts also induced a disruption followed by a blockage of the estrous cycle of the rats at the estrous phase. Furthermore, vaginal opening, uterotrophic activity (significant dose dependent increase in uterine wet weight, diameter of uterus, thickness of endometrium, height of endometrial epithelial cells) of the extracts and increase of 17β estradiolinduced uterotrophic effect by this extracts were recorded. In conclusion, the extracts of P. foetida leaves had low toxicity by oral route and were found to show estrogenic activity in female Wistar rats.
