Contraceptive from reetha ready for market

The product has passed all clinical tests and has been approved by Drug Controller General of India for use. The CDRI has licensed it to Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) for marketing.

“The epicarp (the outer layer) of soapnut contains a compound called saponin,which has a potent spermicidal and mild anti-microbial quality,” said Dr Rajendra Prasad,Head of Business Management at the CDRI. “The living conditions in urban slums and rural areas lead to a number of microbial infections in women,” he said. Apart from population control,it will also prevent and help cure vaginal infection in women.

“Tests proved that it has the least side effects compared to contraceptive pills available in the market,” said Dr Prasad. It is a local contraceptive,which,since the body does not absorb it,does not affect platelet functioning,lipid profile and HDL cholesterol as happens with steroid contraceptives. Nor does it cause nausea,vomiting,headache,weight gain,sore breasts,spotting etc as happens in pills,explained Dr Prasad.

“The scientists of CDRI were studying the medicinal effects of a number of herbs when they stumbled upon the property of soapnut as a contraceptive,” said Dr AK Goyal,a scientist at CDRI.

“We are doing a surveillance of the product,” said KK Suresh Kumar,Marketing Director of HLL. “Once the survey is over, within three months,we will be ready to launch it in the market.”