East Afr Med J. 1999 Jun; 76(6): 335-7.

Antifertility activity of Ricinus communis seed in female guinea pigs.

Makonnen E, Zerihun L, Assefa G, Rostom AA.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-fertility effect of Ricinus communis seed extract. DESIGN: Laboratory-based experiment. SETTING: Laboratory of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1996. RESULTS: The seed extract was found to possess anti-implantation and abortifacient effects. It was also observed that the seed extract prolonged the oestrus cycle of guinea pigs. The dioestrus phase was significantly prolonged as well. After stopping administering the extract, however, the normal dioestrus phase and oestrus cycle started to resume. The seed extract also reduced the weight of the uterus without affecting that of the ovaries significantly. CONCLUSION: Ricinus communis possesses an anti-fertility effect in female guinea pigs, which might be extrapolated in human beings. These findings might support the accredited claim of its traditional use to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Further studies, however, should be pursued.