Abortificient effects of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl in mice

and Several studies have shown that many pregnant women use medicinal plants without knowing that some of them have abortificient and teratogenic effects during pregnancy. One of these plants is Stachys lavandulifolia that is used for many health problems such as anxiety. The abortificient effect of this plant has not been established. Therefore in this study the abortificient effect of Stachys lavandulifolia was investigated in mice. In an experimental study 36 female mice (30-40 gr 8-12 weeks old) were randomly designated into 6 groups. One male mouse was considered for each two female mice (1:2) and was kept in a cage. Pregnancy was confirmed with vaginal plaque. Alcoholic extract of Stachys lavandulifolia was prepared by maceration method. The doses of 50100150 and 200 mg/kg of the extractions or normal saline (sham group) were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) to pregnant mice from the 7th to 12th days of pregnancies. The fifth group (control group) received nothing. In the 16th day of the pregnancy the uterine tubes of mice were removed and the absorbed fetuses were counted. Data were analyzed with SPSS and INSTAT software. The averages of aborted fetus’s ratio were 0.353±0.172 0.583±0.391 0.263±0.151 and 0.136±0.108 in 200 150 100 and 50 mg/kg extract. No aborted fetuses were seen in control groups. The use of Stachysl lavandulifolia during pregnancy may cause abortion and therefore it should be considered as contraindication or use with caution.