Evaluation of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves of <i>Buddleja asiatica</i> for its Abortifacient Activity on <i>Poecilia sphenops</i>

Background: Buddleja asiatica (Scrophulariaceae), native to sub-Himalayan regions, contains flavonoids, saponins, lignans, and terpenoids with traditional uses for respiratory ailments and folklore abortifacient properties. Induced abortion seeks safer herbal alternatives to synthetic drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol due to side effects. Aim: The main aim of this study is to evaluate abortifacient activity of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of B. asiatica in pregnant Poecilia sphenops (molly fish) and compare with standards. Method: Leaves were shade-dried, extracted with 70% hydroalcohol, and screened for phytochemicals (glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics confirmed present). In this experimental model, young female P. sphenops were reared individually under controlled aquatic conditions until adulthood. Sexually mature males were introduced for mating and subsequently removed, after which females were monitored for pregnancy. On the day of experimentation, 24 confirmed pregnant females were selected and randomly divided into four groups, each maintained in separate tanks. Group I served as the control. Group II (Standard I) received mifepristone (20 mg/ kg), Group III (Standard II) received misoprostol (80 µg/kg), and Group IV (Test) received the test extract of Buddleja asiatica (500 mg/kg). All treatments were administered along with food pellets. Abortifacient activity was assessed by recording the time to abortion, the percentage of dead fry, and the percentage of live fry, employing this model as an ethical alternative to conventional rodent-based research. Result: The extract induced abortion at 34.17±3 hours (vs. 25.33±1.54 for mifepristone, 23.5±1.38 for misoprostol; control: none), with 68.05±13.98% dead fries and 15.45±5.03% live fries (comparable to standards: 81.92±2.86 for mifepristone, 84.14±2.20% dead for misoprostol, as well as 15.85±2.20 for misoprostol, 18.07±2.86 % live for mifepristone), which was statistically highly significant (p < 0.01 vs. control). Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of B. asiatica shows significant abortifacient activity via phytochemicals disrupting pregnancy, comparable to standards, validating traditional use and needing further mechanistic/safety studies. Major Finding: The extract contained glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins. B. asiatica demonstrated significant abortifacient activity compared with the control and produced outcomes comparable to standard drugs, though with slightly delayed abortion onset.