Abortifacient activity of caffeic acid and its antiprogestational action in early pregnant mice
Abstract
Fourteen out of fifteen 6-d pregnant mice were found aborted after ig caffeic acid (CFA) l0 mg/kg bid for 3d. The ED50 of abortifacient effect of CFA was 2.13 (mg/kg bid×3 d). The interceptive action of CFA was counteracted by the simultaneous sc megestrol (MG) 50 mg/kg bid ×3 d, ip hCG 10 IU/(mouse∙d)×3d or ig tiapride 50 mg/kd bid ×4 d.
CFA inhibited significantly the decidual cell reaction (DCR). This effect was no longer observed when MG was given simultaneously. Moreover, CFA had no effect on DCR of the sex-hormone-treated ovariectomized mice. The plasma progesterone level of the pregnant mice decreased markedly after ig CFA.
Histomorphologic examination of the ovaries from aborted or pseudopregnant mice treated by CFA revealed a serious atrophy of the corpora lutea and degeneration and necrosis of the decidual tissue. Even when MG was injected simultaneously, the trivial degeneration of the decidual tissue was still seen.
Keywords:
CFA inhibited significantly the decidual cell reaction (DCR). This effect was no longer observed when MG was given simultaneously. Moreover, CFA had no effect on DCR of the sex-hormone-treated ovariectomized mice. The plasma progesterone level of the pregnant mice decreased markedly after ig CFA.
Histomorphologic examination of the ovaries from aborted or pseudopregnant mice treated by CFA revealed a serious atrophy of the corpora lutea and degeneration and necrosis of the decidual tissue. Even when MG was injected simultaneously, the trivial degeneration of the decidual tissue was still seen.