Herbs for abortion can destroy liver — Study

Mifepristone, along with misoprostol, is one of the most frequently used medicine to induce abortions. However, this role has made a number of nations extremely circumspect in its distribution.

Government authorities across these countries have, as a result of the development, placed restraint on the drug. This, among other things, led many women in developing countries, especially young girls, to turn to herbs like Commelina benghalensis.

Experts, in a new study, established that the stem of Commelina benghalensis has the potential to be utilised to induce abortion but warned that its use may be potentially harmful, because of its bad effect on the liver. In fact, the damage on the liver was found to be more pronounced during pregnancy.

The researchers, in a study to evaluate the claim that the stem of Commelina benghalensis is used to induce abortion in traditional medicine, said caution should be exercised while consuming it for medication purposes, especially during the gestational period. It was in the January edition of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Commelina benghalensis (Wandering Jew) is used medicinally by different cultures in the treatment of various ailments like leprosy, sore throat, burns, pain and inflammation. Its leaves, particularly the young ones, are cooked and consumed in areas of West Africa, some parts of East Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India.

In India, it is said to be beneficial for leprosy. The sap is used for the treatment of eye ailments, sore throat and burns and as a topical application for thrush in infants. The plant is used as a poultice for sore feet, acne, boils and prickly heat. The leaves are pounded and soaked in warm water and then the solution is drunk to treat diarrhea. Also, a decoction of the root is used for the relief of stomach disorders.

In Nigeria, according “The useful plants of West Tropical Africa” by H. M. Burkill, it is known as Godogbo or Gbagodo (Yoruba), balaasaanaa or bulabula (Hausa), Ohiovbu (Edo or Bini) and Obogu (Igbo).

For the study, the researchers examined the substances responsible for its toxicity and why it can cause abortion. The abortion rate was determined by monitoring the markers of reproductive system failure in the experimental model.

They, however, said its continuous use, on the other hand, may cause liver damage in pregnant rats by disrupting antioxidant defense mechanisms, promoting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing COX-2 expression.

Inflammation is the body’s response to a threat, whether it’s a foreign invader like a bacteria or virus, cancer, a transplanted organ (which the body sees as ‘foreign’), or even a psychological or emotional stressor. In response, the immune system sends out an army of chemicals, called pro-inflammatory cytokines, to attack the invaders.

COX-2 is an enzyme (protein) that speeds up the formation of substances that cause inflammation and pain. In the females COX-2 expression is a factor which determines correct ovulation, fertilisation and embryo implantation.

Numerous studies have also identified medicinal plants that are used as a traditional medicine in treating numerous ailments and diseases but because of their chemical constituent, they can induce abortion and, therefore, unsafe in pregnancy.

Alligator pepper has been known to be a very useful plant in folk medicine for a very long time. Although it is locally used in Nigeria as a spice to increase lactation in breastfeeding mothers, it is not safe in pregnancy. Women who intend to keep their pregnancy should not eat alligator pepper to avoid miscarriage and premature birth.

In a report in Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, researchers said alligator pepper possesses the ability to induce abortion, indicating that its prolonged use in pregnancy is not safe.

In animal studies, stillbirths occurred at a rate of 39 and 69 percent, respectively; whereas, the calculated abortifacient activity was about 66 and 79 percent when alligator pepper extract was fed to rats.

Turmeric contains curcumin which might mimic the hormone estrogen in the body. Turmeric, when consumed as a spice in foods, is generally considered safe during pregnancy. It provides several health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

However, animal studies have found significant risks associated with higher doses — more than what’s found in most foods — in early pregnancy. These risks include lower fertilisation rates, implantation failure and embryonic death. Therefore, it may be best for pregnant women to be cautious and limit the consumption of turmeric during pregnancy.

Traditionally, in Asian countries, women use pawpaw as a natural contraceptive and avoid eating the fruit when they wish to become pregnant. In India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, pawpaw has been used as an emergency contraceptive and an abortifacient.

Unripe and semi ripe pawpaw can cause miscarriage. The research conducted in 2002 revealed that normal consumption of ripe pawpaw during pregnancy may not pose any significant danger. However, an unripe or semi ripe pawpaw contains an enzyme called papain, which suppresses the production of progesterone, a hormone critical in healthy pregnancy. And so unripe or semi ripe papaya can harm the fetus and cause abortion.