The use of castor bean seeds for contraception is a widespread practice among the Rukuba tribe in Bassa local council of Plateau State. It is believed that two to three seeds protected against conception for a whole year. However, local and international researchers have validated the efficacy and safety of this practice. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.BOTANICALLY called Ricinus communis; castor plant, castor oil plant or palma Christi belongs to the plant family Euphorbiaceae.In Nigeria, it is called hurua, in Arabic-Shuwa, ameru in Bura, eraogi in Edo, etigi unene (Igbo's okra) in Efik, kolalolaaji or derre in Fulfulde, ck-cd, ck-gd in Hausa; jonggo in Idoma, gl, gr (the seeds) or ogili ugba in Igbo, kpamfini gulu (vulture's okra) in Nupe, harev or masev (the plant itself) in Tiv and eso lr (the fruit or seeds) in Yoruba.Before now, the use of the seeds of Ricinus communis as oral contraceptive has been documented. Although the exact variety of the seeds used is not always reported, it is known that four to five seeds of the plant in India are orally taken with water during menstrual period to prevent conception for a period of one year. In Saudi Arabia, three intact seeds are used on the first day of menstruation as oral contraceptive.It has also been the practice that in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, traditional healers administer to women three seeds of the variety minor as contraceptive for duration of 12 months. Nigerian researchers have indicated that these seeds have significant contraceptive efficacy, with minimal side effects.However, Nigerian researchers at the Chemistry Department, Kano State College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies, and Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria have validated the traditional use of the seeds of Ricinus communis as oral contraceptive.According to the study published in Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, three intact seeds of the variety minor, orally taken before mating, prevent conception in women for 12 months.The study is titled 'Anti-fertility activity of methanol extracts of three different seed varieties of Ricinus communis linn (Euphorbiaceae).'The researchers wrote: 'Methanol extracts of three different seed varieties of the plant, including the variety minor, have been studied pharmacologically. All the extracts induced anti-implantation activities in White Albino mice, when the animals were subcutaneously treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight, once and before mating.'Results of the phytochemical screening of the extracts indicated positive results for steroidal compounds and alkaloids. In conclusion, all the three seed varieties are potential oral contraceptives, since all of them have demonstrated anti- fertility activities.'The researchers further explained: 'The seed variety commonly referred to as having anti-conceptive effect is the variety minor (RC1). This study has compared this variety with two other varieties to establish whether the other varieties could equally be used as anti-fertility drugs.'The results obtained confirmed that the variety minor seed and the other seed varieties are potential oral contraceptives, since all of them demonstrated anti-fertility activity.'The methanol extracts of the seed varieties gave positive tests for both steroid(s) and alkaloids. Sex hormones are known to exert both a positive and a negative feedback effects on the release of gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland. In the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, the combined effect of oestrogen and progesterone will be to block the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary.'This situation helps inhibit maturation of the follicle in the ovary and prevent ovulation. Since extracts gave positive tests for steroids, and sex hormones being steroidal compounds, the plants' sterols (phytosterols) may be suspected to be responsible for the anti-fertility effects of the seeds of Ricinus communis.'Another study by Nigerian and South African researchers found marked suppression of testicular function in the semen parameters measured in rats treated with castor bean extracts, when compared to that of the control. They concluded that castor bean extract suppresses testicular histology and function and is a potential male contraceptive agent.The study is titled: 'The effect of Ricinus communis-linn (RICOM 1013-J) on semen parameters: a comparative study.'According to the researchers, the seed variety of Ricinus communis-linn (RICOM 1013-J) is a popular contraceptive agent among the Rukuba women of Central Nigeria. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of RICOM 1013-J to that of an anti-androgen, diane-35 (which contains 0.035g cyproterone acetate and 2mg of ethinyl oestradiol), on testicular histology and function.Adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were used for this experiment. The animals were administered orally with 0.41mg/kg of diane-35, RICOM 1013-J (10mg/kg) and10mg/kg of normal physiological saline, for the control group. The rats were then weighed weekly for six weeks.The semen parameters measured showed marked suppression of testicular function in the groups treated with RICOM 1013-J and diane-35, when compared to that of the control. It can therefore be concluded that RICOM 1013-J suppresses testicular histology and function and is a potential male contraceptive agent.The researchers concluded: 'This work showed that n-hexane extract of RICOM 1013-J suppresses testicular function in a reversible manner and may be a possible male contraceptive agent. The exact mechanism of action, however, cannot be delineated from this study.'According to Burkill H. M. in The Useful Plants of West Aropical Africa, Vol 2 describes Ricinus communis, the leaves are not grazed by stock. They are eaten by women in Nigeria as an emmenagogue (provoke menstruation), and are applied as a poultice to the breasts to increase milk-flow. The leaves are recognised in Libya and Somalia as a powerful galactogogue (increase breast milk flow), though conversely in Gabon they are applied to arrest a too copious flow. In Senegal the leaves are applied in massage to areas of varicose veins in pregnant women, and are taken by draught of a decoction for schistosomiasis and ascites with, at the same time, fumigation of the lower stomach by dried inflorescences scattered onto hot but dead embers.In Ivory Coast-Upper Volta the leaves are used in frictions as a revulsive and vesicant for pneumonia and febrile conditions. There is a suggestion that the leaves may have some anodynal property. In some parts they are pounded and applied as a poultice to swellings and a leaf is tied to the forehead for headache. They are a treatment for haemorrhoids in Ethiopia. In India they are used for rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica, etc, and in Somalia for rheumatism. They are also used for skin-diseases and on framboesia, and in Tanganyika on carbuncles and wounds.In Togo the leaves of a large-leafed variety, known as sau, are crushed to provide an eyewash that is also practised by the Hausa. The leaf in decoction is laxative, and a preparation is used in enema in Gabon. In Adamawa, Nigeria, liquid in which leaves and potash have been boiled is administered for two days as a cure for jaundice. The leaves rendered soft and pulpy by heat are applied to guinea-worm sores to facilitate extraction of the parasite.In Gabon, the leaves crushed and mixed with 'false shea butter', or with a slice of lime, are used to massage epileptic children. This preparation is also an emollient.The Eri silkworm, Attacus ricini, is raised on the leaves of the castor plant in India. This moth has been completely domesticated and is the source of widespread cottage-industry in the Bengal region.
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