title: Chelidonium majus and its effects on uterine contractility in a perfusion model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The herbal agent celandine is thought to have mainly spasmolytic effects, but in the uterus it is regarded as promoting contractions, which can offer promising and innovative options for optimizing artificial reproduction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of celandine on the uterine muscle, using a perfusion model of swine uteri.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen swine uteri were perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution. Celandine (Chelidonium, Paverysat; Johannes Bürger Ysatfabrik Ltd., Bad Harzburg, Germany) was administered at increasing dosages. Intrauterine pressure (IUP) was recorded using an intrauterine double-chip microcatheter (Urobar 8 DS-F, Raumedic, Rehau AG & Co., Rehau, Germany). Differences in pressure (ΔP) and area under the curve (ΔAUC) after drug administration in the uterine body and uterine horn in the various dilution series were noted. A paired Student's t-test was used to evaluate differences between groups, with significance set at P<0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant initial increase in uterine activity was visible at each dosage. Inhibition of uterine activity was seen over longer periods of 5 and 10 min, particularly for a medium-dose range of 1-2mg/ml. At a dosage of 2mg/ml in particular, celandine almost always led to significant values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following intra-arterial administration in a swine uterus perfusion model, celandine initially causes a significant increase in contractility, which is followed over time by a relaxation phase. This suggests interesting hypotheses on whether Chelidonium majus might be used to promote targeted sperm transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Universitätsstrasse 21–23, Erlangen, Germany. julian.kuenzel@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuenzel
authors.forename: Klaudija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geisler
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Strahl
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grundtner
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dittrich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028281:Chelidonium; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013552:Swine; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Celandine; Perfusion model; Swine uterus; Uterine contractility