Validation of traditional use of Gloriosa superba L., tubers as an early-term abortifacient agent Journal of Traditional and Folk Practices Volume 10 (01 & 02) December 2022, ISSN 2278-5906 1. Introduction Throughout recorded history, fertility control has been promoted through several methods. Herbal resources are important reservoirs of a huge variety of therapeutic substances, and plants and plant-based preparations have long been used as oral contraceptives and early- term abortifacients in different cultures throughout the world. The literary sources give a clear distinction between contraception and abortion, avoiding conception is contraception whereas getting rid of what has been conceived is termed as abortion. Several Greek, Roman, and medieval physicians documented Ferula communis L., F. tingitana L., F. persica Willd. and F. galbaniflua Boiss. & Buhse for the regulation of female fertility. A Greek physician and writer of gynaecology, Soranus of Ephesus (A.D. 98–138) described silphium and opopanax possible species of genus Ferula Tourn. ex L. (family Apiaceae), which were valued both as contraceptives and early-term abortifacients (Riddle, 1991). In India, Ayurveda and other traditional texts document several herbal preparations for both male and female, as remedies for problems related to reproductive health and function (Jadhav and Bhutani, 2005). Many modern medicines have been developed using the clues obtained from the ancient knowledge of our ancestors and tribal and rural populations still largely depend on natural agents for therapeutic purposes (Yadav et al., 2006). Modern research plays a key role in establishing the acceptability and efficacy of such folk practices (Dabire and David, 2021). Volume 10 (01&02) December 2022, 30-38 ISSN 2278- 5906 http://jtfp.jntbgri.res.in Journal of Traditional and Folk Practices Validation of traditional use of Gloriosa superba L., tubers as an early-term abortifacient agent Suraj Dabire and David M * Department of PG Studies and Research in Zoology, Karnatak University, Dharwad – 580 003, Karnataka, India *davidkcd@gmail.com Received: 30 August 2022 Accepted: 30 November 2022 Abstract Gloriosa superba L. (Glory lily), mentioned as Garbhaghatini in ayurvedic texts, is a highly valued medicinal herb traditionally used for a wide range of therapeutic purposes. This study is aimed to investigate the influence of ethanol extract of G. superba tuber (GSTE) on female reproductive function via its effects on implantation and post-implantation embryo survival in Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus). Pregnant rats were subjected to intragastric administration of GSTE suspended in 1% Tween 80 at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight for seven days either from gestation day (GD) 1 to GD 7 or from GD 9 to GD 15, following which they were euthanized and the uterine contents examined. GSTE interfered with normal reproductive physiology during pregnancy. Though no significant anti-implantation activity was observed, the extract caused a significant dose-dependent reduction in post-implantation embryo survival and the higher dose of GSTE demonstrated 100% abortifacient activity in rats. The extract exerted these effects through its action on the corpus luteum, subsequently inhibiting progesterone secretion; serum progesterone levels were significantly reduced in treated females on GD 21 compared to the control females. In contrast to a few previous reports, no significant anti-implantation activity was attributable to GSTE. It is concluded that, G. superba tubers possess a strong abortifacient character and may serve as a source for the development of a commercial drug for medical termination of pregnancy. Keywords: Birth control, Folk medicine, Glory lily, Progesterone levels