Title: Effects of Cauophyllum on the Uteri and Ovaries of Adult Rats

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Caulophyllum on the uteri and ovaries in adult rats.

Materials & Methods: Oestrus cycle was determined by taking vaginal smear every morning. Adult female rats were given the 200^th and 10,000^th potency of Caulophyllum orally on alternate days for ten days. Rats were killed by decapitation after 5th and 10th days of drug administration. The uteri and ovaries were removed and weighed immediately and then fixed in fresh Bouin’s solution for histopathological examination.

Results: The 200^th 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 200^th 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 as compared to cauophyllum10, 000 and vehicle fed control groups.

Conclusion: Adult female rats were given the 200^th and 10,000^th potency orally on alternate days for ten days. The vehicle used for was 90% alcohol. The 200^th

potency brought about a significant increases in ovarian and uterine weight also in cell height of the endometrium and luminal epithelium.

The present study indicated that Caulophyllum 200 possesses oestrogenic properties, whereas Caulophyllum 1000 produced only a slight change and caused a few follicles to atrophy, and this only up to the 5^th day of drug administration.

Published in: The British Homoeopathic Journal. Volume 70, Number 3, July 1981. 135-138