The effect of Bromelia pinguin extract on the pregnant rat uterus

A non proteinaceous extract of Bromelia pinguin fruit was examined for acti vity on the rat uterus in vivo and in vitro. The in vivo experiments involv ed pregnant rats given the extract intraperitoneally. These rats did not ab ort nor were any foetal deformities observed. The extract inhibited spontan eous activity of the pregnant rat uterus in vitro. These results do not sup port the claimed folklore use of the plant as an abortifacient. The extract of Bromelia pinguin fruit may have some utero-active compound which inhibi ts uterine motility.