Traditional use of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet as an abortifacient and antifertility among Karbi tribe of Assam, North East India

Abstract

Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, a multipurpose leguminous plant is traditionally used as an antifertility and abortifacient agent among the Karbi, an indigenous tribe living in Assam, North East India. The present study emphasized the scientific validation of the indigenous utilization of this plant extract as an antifertility and abortifacient along with their physicochemical, phytochemical, and in silico ADME features. Fresh roots (450 gm) are processed for physicochemical, preliminary phytochemical screening, and GC-MS analysis. Organoleptic studies, moisture content, swelling index, flow properties (Carr’s index and Hausner ratio), extractive values (highest in aqueous extract), and ash content revealed the plants are potential sources of phytomedicines having the minimum required parameters as per WHO standards. The value of Carr’s index (22%) and Hausner's ratio (1.27) indicates that the powder drugs have greater inter-particle interactions, which signifies poor flowing powder. Phytochemical screening of root extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, coumarins, and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of Arsenous acid tris(trimethylsilyl; Cyclic siloxane compounds; Pivalic Acid, 2-Methylpropyl Ester; Propanoic Acid, 2,2-Dimethyl-, Ethyl Ester and N-(Trifluoroacetyl)-N, O, O', O''-Tetrakis (Trimethylsilyl) Norepinephrine, having potential reproductive and developmental toxicity and also stimulates progesterone production. According to SwissADME, drug-like properties of Arsenous Acid, Tri (Trimethylsilyl) Ester, Heptasiloxane, and Pivalic Acid, etc., identified in the root extract have the potential for use as an orally active antifertility and abortifacient medicine. Since L. purpureus has been used traditionally by the Karbi tribe for ages and contains bioactive compounds such as antifertility and abortifacient, it may be considered an important ethnomedicine. Laboratory animal experimentation may be studied more in the future for its precise use of root extract for effectiveness and to advance the drug-discovery process.