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WHO studies plants for contraceptive properties
Population (New York, N.Y.)
|November 1, 1978
Summary
The World Health Organization is researching traditional plant-based contraceptives. Early studies show promise for three plants, including Mexican zoapatle, offering potential new fertility regulation options with fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Traditional medicine systems worldwide utilize indigenous plants for fertility regulation.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a comprehensive review of these ethnobotanical resources.
- Understanding the scientific basis of traditional contraceptive practices is crucial for modern healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and evaluate indigenous plants with a history of traditional contraceptive use.
- To screen these plants for potential efficacy and safety as novel contraceptive agents.
- To accelerate the development of new fertility regulation methods based on natural products.
Main Methods:
- Computerized literature search for ethnobotanical data on contraceptive plants.
- In vitro and in vivo screening of approximately 30 selected plant species.
- Pharmacological evaluation of promising candidates, including uterotonic activity and side effect profiles.
Main Results:
- Three plant species have demonstrated significant contraceptive potential.
- Montanoa tomentosa (zoapatle) from Mexico shows promise as an orally active uterotonic agent with minimal side effects.
- Plants from Paraguay affecting ovulation and Leonurus artemisia (Chinese motherwort) from Hong Kong are also under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Ethnobotanical research is a viable strategy for discovering new contraceptive agents.
- Montanoa tomentosa, Paraguayan ovulatory inhibitors, and Leonurus artemisia represent promising leads for novel fertility regulation.
- WHO anticipates the development of several new contraceptive agents from these studies within 5-6 years.