The Abortifacient Effects from the Seeds ofCoix lachryma-jobiL. var.ma-yuenStapf

Aug 4, 2005Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part A

How Seeds of Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf May Cause Miscarriage

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Abstract

Oral administration of 1 g/kg body weight of water extracts from adlay seeds significantly increased fetal resorptions in pregnant rats.

Fetal resorptions and postimplantation mortality were significantly higher following treatment with water extracts.
No significant differences in uterine and fetal weight were observed compared to the control group.
No fetal malformations were detected in the pregnant rats treated with adlay seed extracts.
Uterine contractions were significantly enhanced in rats treated with the water extracts.
Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression was observed in uteri from treated rats.
Enhancements in signaling pathways involving protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 were noted.

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This study evaluated the abortifacient effects of the extracts of seeds of Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf (adlay) in pregnant rats. Pregnant rats were treated with oral administration of adlay seed extracts on d 6 of pregnancy and their fetuses were examined for growth and malformations on d 20 of pregnancy. Following oral administration of 1 g/kg body weight of water extracts but not methanolic extracts, fetal resorptions were significantly increased and mortality of postimplantation was increased. There were no significant differences in the uterine and fetal weight compared to control. Fetal malformations were not observed in the adlay seed extracts-treated pregnant rats. The contractile activity of uteri isolated from rats on d 20 of pregnancy was assessed. The spontaneous uterine contractions were significantly enhanced in rats treated with water extracts of adlay seeds (1 g/kg body weight). Immunoblotting of uteri from rats treated with water extracts of adlay seeds demonstrated an induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. The water extracts of adlay seeds also enhanced extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation and protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha translocation from cytosolic to particulate fractions in uteri. These results indicate that the water extracts of adlay seeds are capable of inducing embryotoxicity and enhancing uterine contractility during pregnancy. The enhanced activities of PKC-alpha, ERK1/2, and COX-2 may contribute to these responses.

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The Abortifacient Effects from the Seeds ofCoix lachryma-jobiL. var.ma-yuenStapf

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