TY - JOUR
T1 - Uterine contraction induced by Tanzanian plants used to induce abortion
AU - Nikolajsen, Tine
AU - Nielsen, Frank
AU - Rasch, Vibeke
AU - Sørensen, Pernille H
AU - Ismail, Flora
AU - Kristiansen, Uffe
AU - Jäger, Anna Katharina
N1 - Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Women in Tanzania use plants to induce abortion. It is not known whether the plants have an effect. AIMS OF STUDY: Collect data on plant use in relation to induced abortion and test the effect of plant extracts on uterine contraction. METHODS: During interviews with traditional birth attendants and nurses, plants were identified. Cumulative doses of plant extracts were added to rat uterine tissue in an organ bath, and the force and frequency of contractions recorded. Acetylcholine was used as positive control. RESULTS: 21 plant species were tested for effect on uterine contraction. 11 species increased the force of contraction, and 12 species the frequency of contractions. The strongest contractions comparable to the maximum response obtained with acetylcholine were obtained with extracts of Bidens pilosa, Commelina africana, Desmodium barbatum, Manihot esculenta, Ocimum suave, Oldenlandia corymbosa and Sphaerogyne latifolia. 7 species increased both the force and frequency of contractions. CONCLUSION: Several of the plant species induced strong and frequent contractions of the uterus, and can be used to induce an abortion.
AB - ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Women in Tanzania use plants to induce abortion. It is not known whether the plants have an effect. AIMS OF STUDY: Collect data on plant use in relation to induced abortion and test the effect of plant extracts on uterine contraction. METHODS: During interviews with traditional birth attendants and nurses, plants were identified. Cumulative doses of plant extracts were added to rat uterine tissue in an organ bath, and the force and frequency of contractions recorded. Acetylcholine was used as positive control. RESULTS: 21 plant species were tested for effect on uterine contraction. 11 species increased the force of contraction, and 12 species the frequency of contractions. The strongest contractions comparable to the maximum response obtained with acetylcholine were obtained with extracts of Bidens pilosa, Commelina africana, Desmodium barbatum, Manihot esculenta, Ocimum suave, Oldenlandia corymbosa and Sphaerogyne latifolia. 7 species increased both the force and frequency of contractions. CONCLUSION: Several of the plant species induced strong and frequent contractions of the uterus, and can be used to induce an abortion.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.026
DO - 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.026
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21645605
SN - 0378-8741
VL - 137
SP - 921
EP - 925
JO - Journal of Ethnopharmacology
JF - Journal of Ethnopharmacology
IS - 1
ER -