Preliminary clinical investigation of the contraceptive efficacy and chemical pathological effects of RICOM-1013-J of Ricinus communis var minor on women volunteers

The seeds of Ricinus communis Linn, RICOM-1013-J, administered as a single oral dose of 2.3-2.5 g once per 12 months protected against pregnancy in 50 women volunteers for a period of one year. The antifertility and contracep tive efficacy of the seed was demonstrated in this study. Clinical observat ion revealed very minimal side effects. Some of the side effects investigat ed included headache, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, loss of appetite, rais ed blood pressure and dysmenorrhoea. Furthermore, both the renal and liver functions were not affected as revealed by urea, electrolyte and creatinine values as well as total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, serum albumin, to tal protein and transaminases values when compared with control values. In addition cholesterol and phospholipids were not significantly altered, When all these results are considered together, it seems unlikely that the anti fertility and contraceptive efficacy of RICOM-1013-J is due to hormonal mec hanisms alone since side effects, renal and liver function, and cholesterol effects attributable to oestrogen and/or progesterone were minimal in the volunteers. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.