Uterine contraction induced by Ghanaian plants used to induce abortion

TY - JOUR

T1 - Uterine contraction induced by Ghanaian plants used to induce abortion

AU - Larsen, Birgitte HV

AU - Soelberg, Jens

AU - Kristiansen, Uffe

AU - Jäger, Anna K

PY - 2016/9/1

Y1 - 2016/9/1

N2 - Ethnomedicinal observations from the time of the Atlantic slave trade show women in Ghana historically used plants as emmenagogues (menstruation stimulants) and to induce abortion. This study investigates the effect of four of these plants on uterine contraction. The historically used plants were collected in Ghana. Cumulative doses of ethanolic plant extracts were added to isolated rat uteri (Sprague Dawley), and the force and frequency of contractions recorded. Acetylcholine was used as positive control. Musanga cecropioides significantly increased the force of contraction to 70% of the maximum response obtained with acetylcholine. Erythrina senegalensis, Ficus sur and Physalis angulata did not show activity. M. cecropioides can thus be used to induce contractions, which coincides well with the historical and extant use of M. cecropioides as emmenagogue/birth stimulant/abortifacient. For the three plants which did not increase uterine contraction, the historical use appears to be discontinued, probably as a consequence of the lack of activity of these plants.

AB - Ethnomedicinal observations from the time of the Atlantic slave trade show women in Ghana historically used plants as emmenagogues (menstruation stimulants) and to induce abortion. This study investigates the effect of four of these plants on uterine contraction. The historically used plants were collected in Ghana. Cumulative doses of ethanolic plant extracts were added to isolated rat uteri (Sprague Dawley), and the force and frequency of contractions recorded. Acetylcholine was used as positive control. Musanga cecropioides significantly increased the force of contraction to 70% of the maximum response obtained with acetylcholine. Erythrina senegalensis, Ficus sur and Physalis angulata did not show activity. M. cecropioides can thus be used to induce contractions, which coincides well with the historical and extant use of M. cecropioides as emmenagogue/birth stimulant/abortifacient. For the three plants which did not increase uterine contraction, the historical use appears to be discontinued, probably as a consequence of the lack of activity of these plants.

U2 - 10.1016/j.sajb.2016.06.008

DO - 10.1016/j.sajb.2016.06.008

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0254-6299

VL - 106

SP - 137

EP - 139

JO - South African Journal of Botany

JF - South African Journal of Botany

ER -