Ricinus Communis

Preliminary clinical investigation of the contraceptive efficacy and

chemical pathological effects of RICOM-1013-J of Ricinus communis
var Minor on women volunteers
1. C. O. Isichei1,
2. S. C. Das1,
3. O. O. Ogunkeye1,
4. F. K. Okwuasaba2,*,
5. V. E. Uguru3,
6. O. Onoruvwe4,
7. A. O. Olayinka4,
8. S. J. Dafur5,
9. E. O. Ekwere5,
10. O. Parry6

Article first published online: 11 MAY 2000

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(200002)14:1<40::AID-PTR323>3.0.CO;2-1

Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

The seeds of Ricinus communis Linn, RICOM-1013-J, administered as a single oral dose of 2.3–2.5 g once per 12
months protected against pregnancy in 50 women volunteers for a period of one year. The antifer-tility and
contraceptive efficacy of the seed was demonstrated in this study. Clinical observation revealed very minimal side
effects. Some of the side effects investigated included headache, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, loss of appetite,
raised blood pressure and dysmenorrhoea. Furthermore, both the renal and liver functions were not affected as
revealed by urea, electrolyte and creatinine values as well as total bi-lirubin, conjugated bilirubin, serum albumin,
total protein and transaminases values when compared with control values. In addition cholesterol and
phospholipids were not significantly altered. When all these results are considered together, it seems unlikely that
the antifertility and contraceptive efficacy of RICOM-1013-J is due to hormonal mechanisms alone since side
effects, renal and liver function, and cholesterol effects attributable to oestrogen and/or progesterone were
minimal in the volunteers. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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

rabbits
Abdulazim S Salhaba , Salah O Al-Tamimib, Munir N Gharaibehand Mahaa, S Shomafb

Received 8 May 1998; received in revised form 7 July 1998; accepted 7 July 1998.
Abstract

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.

Keywords: castor bean, ricin-A chain, abortifacient, rabbits

Antifertility effects of Ricinus communis (Linn) on rats

1. K. Sandhyakumary,
2. R. G. Bobby,
3. M. Indira

Article first published online: 1 MAY 2003

DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1308

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Issue

Phytotherapy Research

Volume 17, Issue 5, pages 508–511, May 2003

 •

Abstract

The antifertility effects of 50% ethanol extracts of Ricinus communis have been studied in male rats. There was a
drastic reduction in the epididymal sperm counts. Alteration in the motility, mode of movement and morphology
of the sperms were observed. Reductions in the fructose and testosterone levels were suggestive of reduced
reproductive performance. Reversibility tests showed that the antifertility effect of Ricinus communis was
completely reversible on withdrawal of the drug. The ethanol extracts of Ricinus communis did not cause any
hepatotoxicity since the hepatic GOT and GPT levels were unaltered. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

esearch Article

Pharmacological studies on the antifertility effects of RICOM-1013-J

from Ricinus communis var minor and preliminary clinical studies on
women volunteers
1. F. K. Okwuasaba1,*,
2. S. C. Das2,
3. C. O. Isichei2,
4. M. M. Ekwenchi3,
5. O. Onoruvwe4,
6. A. O. Olayinka4,
7. V. E. Uguru5,
8. S. J. Dafur6,
9. E. O. Ekwere6,
10. O. Parry7

Article first published online: 4 DEC 1998

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199712)11:8<547::AID-PTR143>3.0.CO;2-D

Copyright © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Issue
Phytotherapy Research

Volume 11, Issue 8, pages 547–551, December 1997

Abstract

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.

plementary Medicine > Full text

Complementary Medicine
Asian Journal of Andrology (2006) 8, 115–121; doi:10.1111/j.1745-7262.2006.00055.x

Effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed on reproduction of male rats

Yinusa Raji, Ahmed Kolade Oloyo and Ayodele Olufemi Morakinyo

Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 23 402, Nigeria

Correspondence: Dr Yinusa Raji, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
23 402, Nigeria. Fax: +234-80-2241-1768. E-mail: raji_ui@yahoo.com, yoraji@yahoo.com

Received 8 October 2004; Accepted 9 May 2005.

Top of page

Abstract
Aim:

To investigate the effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed (RCE) on male rats reproductive
functions.

Methods:

Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were gavaged with 0.2 mL of 2.5 %
tween 80 (RCE vehicle; control) or 20 mg/(kg-d) and 40 mg/(kg-d) of RCE, respectively, for 30 days, and group
4 was also gavaged with 40 mg/(kg-d) of RCE, but was allowed a recovery periold of 30 days. Five untreated
female rats were cohabited with male rats in each group from day 25 of RCE treatment for 5 days, except group 4,
where cohabitation began on day 25 of the recovery period. All male rats were sacrificed 24 h after the
experiments. The female rats were laparatomized on day 19 of pregnancy and the number and weight of litters
were recorded.

Results:

There was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the weight of the reproductive organs, sperm functions and serum
levels of testosterone in RCE treated rats. There was disorganization in the cytoarchitecture of the testes,
disruption of the seminiferous tubules and erosion of the germinal epithelium. The number and weight of litters of
rats in groups 2 and 4 decreased significantly (P < 0.05) but no changes were observed in group 3. RCE caused no
changes in liver, kidney, heart or body weights in male rats.

Conclusion:

RCE has a reversible negative impact on male reproductive functions, which appears to be mediated via gonadal
disruption in testosterone secretion.

Keywords:

Ricinus communis, sperm, fertility, testosterone, reproduction

Top of page

References

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Asian J Androl. 2006 Jan ;8 (1):115-21 16372130 Cit:1

Effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed on reproduction of male rats.

Yinusa Raji, Ahmed Kolade Oloyo, Ayodele Olufemi Morakinyo
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 23 402, Nigeria.
raji_ui@yahoo.com
AIM: To investigate the effect of methanol extract of Ricinus communis seed (RCE) on male rats reproductive
functions. METHODS: Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were
gavaged with 0.2 mL of 2.5% tween 80 (RCE vehicle; control) or 20 mg/(kg x d) and 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE,
respectively, for 30 days, and group 4 was also gavaged with 40 mg/(kg x d) of RCE, but was allowed a recovery
period of 30 days. Five untreated female rats were cohabited with male rats in each group from day 25 of RCE
treatment for 5 days, except group 4, where cohabitation began on day 25 of the recovery period. All male rats
were sacrificed 24 h after the experiments. The female rats were laparotomized on day 19 of pregnancy and the
number and weight of litters were recorded. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease (P<0.01) in the weight
of the reproductive organs, sperm functions and serum levels of testosterone in RCE treated rats. There was
disorganization in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, disruption of the seminiferous tubules and erosion of the
germinal epithelium. The number and weight of litters of rats in groups 2 and 4 decreased significantly (P<0.05)
but no changes were observed in group 3. RCE caused no changes in liver, kidney, heart or body weights in male
rats. CONCLUSION: RCE has a reversible negative impact on male reproductive functions, which appears to be
mediated via gonadal disruption in testosterone secretion.
Keywords: rce; rat; mg/(kg; male rat; ricinu; methanol extract; male; communy; ricinu
communy; methanol; group; day; litter; cau; testosterone;
Groups: All@college of medicine university of ibadan;