title: Uterotrophic, fetotoxic and abortifacient effect of a Malaysian variety of Plumbago rosea L. on isolated rat uterus and pregnant mice.
abstract: Traditionally Plumbago rosea L. is used as an abortifacient in the Southeast Asian region. Methanolic root extract of a local species of Plumbago rosea L. was studied to evaluate its traditional antifertility claim. Interestingly, it was found to possess dose related inhibitory effect on uterine contractile responses elicited by oxytocic agents on isolated uteri of pregnant and pseudo-pregnant rats. Furthermore, it was found to possess significant (p < 0.05) fetotoxic activity along with mild abortive potential in pregnant mice when given orally at high doses (400 and 800 mg kg(-1)) once daily for ten days starting from day 10 of gestation. The results derived indicated possible presence of utero-active compound (s) in this plant that inhibited oxytocic agents induced uterine motility. Moreover, pronounced fetotoxic and mild abortifacient potentials observed at higher doses in pregnant mice might support its accredited traditional use to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Munavvar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdul Sattar
authors.forename: Nor Azizan
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: Md Abdul Hye
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Aidiahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dewa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samshia
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029606:Plumbaginaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011555:Pseudopregnancy; D051381:Rats; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts