Maternity and medicinal plants in Vanuatu I. The cycle of reproduction

Bourdy, Geneviève; Walter, Annie

doi:10.1016/0378-8741(92)90033-n

Cited by 94 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, because fertility was very highly regarded and associated with the preservation of the tribe, contraception was not openly discussed. Like most traditional societies, large families were especially prized (Bourdy and Walter, 1992). However, contraception was practiced and some plant contraceptives continue to be used today.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antifertility effects of <i>Pouzolzia Mixta</i> in female wistar rats

Sewani-Rusike¹

2013

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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The continued use of plants by women to prevent pregnancy suggests there are plants out there with potential use as contraceptives. In Zimbabwe, Pouzolzia mixta is used as a "morning after" contraceptive, thus it may possess postcoital antifertility activity. To test contraceptive activity, animals (n=8/group) were orally pretreated with aqueous (AqPM) or ethanolic (EtPM) extract of P. mixta at 300mg/kg b.wt for 7 days followed by mating with continued treatment for 10 days post-conception. To test for postcoital activity, treatment was initiated on day-1 of pregnancy and continued for 10 days. Laparotomy was performed and implantations counted. For estrogenic activity, immature ovariectomised rats were treated for 7 days after which vaginal opening and uterine weights were determined. In vitro oxytocic effects were performed using uterine tissue in an organ bath with De Jalon's solution. Acetylcholine (Ach) was the positive control. Results showed modest contraceptive activity with EtPM more effective in inhibiting fertility compared to AqPM (37.5% vs 25%) with a similar trend for antiimplantation effects (31% vs 19%). There was potent postcoital antifertility effects with AqPM more effective in inhibiting implantation (94.6% vs 86%) and fertility (87.5% vs 75%) compared to EtPM. Immature rat bioassay for estrogenic activity demonstrated pronounced estrogenic activity by both extracts. Oxytocic effects at 400ng/ml were more pronounced for the AqPM (92% of 100ng/ml Ach) than EtPM (25% of 100ng/ml Ach). Findings demonstrate the antifertility effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. mixta. The antifertility effects may be attributed to antiimplantation, estrogenic and oxytocic effects of the plant extracts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antifertility effects of <i>Pouzolzia Mixta</i> in female wistar rats

Sewani-Rusike¹

2013

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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“…Birds and small predators are still trapped using breadfruit latex (Walter 1989). In the traditional pharmacopeia of Vanua Lava, breadfruit sap is used to treat menorrhagia (Bourdy and Walter 1992). On Aneityum, it is applied to wounds (Bradacs 2008:75).…”

Section: Other Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of Breadfruit in Vanuatu: Review and Prospects

Labouisse

2016

EBL

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Breadfruit is a traditional staple crop and an important component of Pacific Island agrosystems. This article reviews documentation related to breadfruit in Vanuatu with a focus on ethnobotanical data recorded from the first contacts with European voyagers and missionaries to the most recent survey conducted on several islands in 2009. Tree management practices, food and non-food uses, conservation techniques, as well as ritual magic intended to increase yields and protect the crop, are described. A database of 539 cultivar names has been compiled. Some lines for future research within the social and biological sciences are proposed.

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“…However, because fertility was very highly regarded and associated with the preservation of the tribe (dzinza), contraception was not openly discussed. Like most traditional societies, large families were especially prized (Bourdy et al, 1992). The 1994 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey reports that contraceptive use prevalence rate was 35 % for all women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plants of Zimbabwe used as anti-fertility agents.

Sewani-Rusike¹

2010

Afr. J. Trad. Compl. Alt. Med.

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Ethnomedicine has gained a lot of recognition in post-independence Zimbabwe and yet little research on anti-fertility medicines has been done. Information on plants used as anti-fertility medicines was obtained by interviewing women, men, traditional healers and traditional midwives in urban Harare and surrounding rural areas of Mvurwi, Seke and Chiweshe. The use of 31 species belonging to 17 families for antifertility purposes is described. This survey forms a basis to initiate a study into the efficacy and toxicology of plants used by Zimbabwean women as traditional anti-fertility medicines.

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Maternity and medicinal plants in Vanuatu I. The cycle of reproduction

Cited by 94 publications

References 11 publications

Antifertility effects of <i>Pouzolzia Mixta</i> in female wistar rats

Antifertility effects of <i>Pouzolzia Mixta</i> in female wistar rats

Ethnobotany of Breadfruit in Vanuatu: Review and Prospects

Plants of Zimbabwe used as anti-fertility agents.

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