Pharmacological studies on the antifertility effects of RICOM-1013-J from Ricinus communis var minor and preliminary clinical studies on women volunteers

• Published in: Phytotherapy research 1997-12, Vol.11 (8), p.547-551
• Main Authors: Okwuasaba, F. K., Das, S. C., Isichei, C. O., Ekwenchi, M. M., Onoruvwe, O., Olayinka, A. O., Uguru, V. E., Dafur, S. J., Ekwere, E. O., Parry, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; contraception; decreased responsiveness to drugs; fallopian tube; General pharmacology; human volunteers; Medical sciences; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; seeds of RICOM-1013-J; uterine inertia
• ISSN: 0951-418X; 1099-1573
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199712)11:8<547::AID-PTR143>3.0.CO;2-D

The seed and petroleum ether fraction (PE; 5–20 mg/kg) of RICOM‐1013‐J demonstrated high antifertility efficacy in both animals and in women volunteers. Although PE demonstrated some oestrogenic activity in ovariectomized immature rats, there was no evidence of progestational activity. Administration of PE (5–20 mg/kg, s.c.) to rats and rabbits altered the activity profile of the uterus and fallopian tube from day 3 to day 90 of pretreatment. Moreover, the responsiveness of the uterine muscle and the fallopian tube to Ach, oxytoxin and ergometrine was significantly reduced from day 28 to day 90. Furthermore, PE induced histological changes in the ovary and altered the oestrous cyclicity. These results suggest that the high antifertility efficacy of RICOM‐1013‐J is unlikely to be due to any direct progestational activity and may be due partly to alteration in oestrogen/progesterone balance as well as to a direct effect on the uterus and fallopian tube. A survey of the contraceptive efficacy in women volunteers administered orally three seeds of RICOM‐1013‐J demonstrated the high efficacy of the seed in protecting against pregnancy for a period of 12 months with high compliance and minimal side effects. There was no evidence of side effects (nausea, vomiting, weight gain, morning sickness, increased blood pressure, etc) attributable to oestrogen in oral contraceptives; and these results may indicate a novel contraceptive effect due to both hormonal and direct effects on the reproductive system. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.