The abortifacient effects of castor bean extract and Ricin-A chain in rabbits

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 58; no. 3; pp. 193 - 197
• Main Authors: Salhab, Abdulazim S, Al-Tamimi, Salah O, Gharaibehand Maha, Munir N, Shomaf, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-09-1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: abortifacient; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; castor bean; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Induced abortion. Therapeutic abortion; Medical sciences; rabbits; ricin-A chain; ricin-A chain; abortifacient; castor bean; rabbits; Ricin; Rabbit; Lagomorpha; Castor bean; Medicinal plant; Pregnancy; Pathology; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Histopathology; Placenta; Polypeptide; Dicotyledones; Abortifacient; Animal; Angiospermae; Plant origin; Euphorbiaceae; Spermatophyta; Ricinus communis
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0010-7824(98)00088-2

The abortifacient effect of castor bean extract and ricin-A chain was evaluated in rabbits on day 18 of pregnancy. Both castor bean extract (administered orally or intraperitoneally) and ricin-A chain (intraperitoneally) terminated pregnancy when administered for three consecutive days. Treated rabbits experienced a significant decrease in maternal body weight gain. Meanwhile, the control group (receiving boiled castor bean extract) gained 4% in maternal body weight during the course of treatment. A significant reduction in progesterone, but not estrogen, plasma level was detected in all treated rabbits compared to control rabbits. Furthermore, a significant reduction in the protein contents of the placenta occurred in rabbits treated with ricin-A chain. Laparotomized rabbits exhibited dead fetuses, separation of placenta and blood clots. It is concluded that castor bean extract and ricin-A chain exhibited abortifacient effect along with maternal and fetal toxicity in pregnant rabbits.