Effects of Caulophyllum on the uteri and ovaries of adult rats

Summary

Adult female rats were given the 200th and 10,000th potency of Caulophyllum orally on alternate days for ten days. The vehicle used was 90 per cent. alcohol.

The 200th potency brought about a significant increase in ovarian and uterine weight and also in cell height of the endometrium and luminal epithelium. Increased mitotic division was also discernible. Simultaneously the stromal cells became smaller in size and exhibited retardation in mitotic division.

In addition, the 200th potency treated groups showed marked retardation in the maturation of ova, with the number of maturing ova minimized. Increased atresia was noted and a perceptible decrease in the number and diameter of functional corpora lutea. The controls and animals treated with the 10,000th potency of the same drug exhibited only insignificant changes.