A diestrous smear will not only show few epithelial cells, mucous cells and few leucocytes, indicating a quiescent uterus and resting vaginal epithelium. Pro-estrus smear will have many epithelial Navitoclax datasheet cells with granular cytoplasm, indicating a rapidly

growing vaginal epithelium and also the pre-ovulatory stage. Withdrawal of the treatment did not indicate any significant change either in the four phases of the estrous cycle, or in the duration of the cycle. Protein content was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) with ethanol extract low dose for both uterus (15.66 ± 1.1547) and ovary (29.66 ± 2.0816), where in case of high dose the protein content remains same as in case of control (239.33 ± 0.5773, 91.55 ± 2.416). Cholesterol content was reduced significantly with ethanol high dose for uterus (301.15 ± 1.6270) and for ovary no changes. Bortezomib purchase Where in case of low dose treatment, cholesterol content in ovary (1401.33 ± 1.5275) and uterus (1001.66 ± 2.0816) was increased significantly ( Table 3). In past year many studies have suggested that the use of plant extract for reproductive physiology of animals. However, much interest has shown in recent years to control fertility by using plants.13 and 14 COX-2 is an essential enzyme that causes follicular rapture.15

The flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin and quercetin are rich in the ethanol extract of P. oleracea L. These flavonoids inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase and consequently ovulation. 16 The ethanol extract of P. oleracea L has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory activity. 4 Studies have revealed that the process of ovulation is comparable to an inflammatory process. 17 Anti-inflammatory

drug has been employed in blocking ovulation. 18 The anti-inflammatory activity of medicinal plants may be responsible Oxygenase for its observed effect in blacking ovulation. The anti-inflammatory property of flavonoids is believed to result from inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzyme. 19 Cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid derived from cell membrane to prostaglandins (PG), as two isomers, Cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). 20 Cyclooxygenase-1 is endogenous form of the enzyme necessary for the production of PG while COX-2 is thought of as being an inducible enzyme associated with inflammation. The latter is thought to be essential for ovulation mechanism. It was revealed that all traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect the action of both COX-1 and COX-2 but produces the most of their effect by blocking COX-2. 21 COX-2 is induced in various cells by stimulation of cytokines and/or growth factors. It is expressed in many condition and organs such as in acute inflammation, bone resumption, kidneys and brain, female reproductive organs. 15 COX-2 deficient mice suffer from defect in reproductive function such as ovulation and fertilization, 22 implying that COX-2 is important in ovulation.