Objectives: Stachys lavandulifolia is commonly used for many health problems including anxiety. A couple of reports indicate that this plant might have an abortifacient effect on pregnant women. Here we examined this effect on pregnant mice.
Materials and methods: Incremental doses of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of the extracts or normal saline (control group) were injected intraperitoneally to the pregnant mice between 7(th) to 12(th) days of pregnancy. On day 16, uterine tubes were resected and absorbed fetuses were counted.
Results: Our study showed that the different average of absorbed fetuses between treated and control groups is significant (P < 0.05). S. lavandulifolia changes the activity level of hypothalamus-pituitary gland-gonad axis due to flavonoid compounds. Also, S. lavandulifolia decreases progesterone concentration resulting in a significant difference between treated and control groups (P < 0.05) and gives rise to failure in fetus survival and consequently, abortion. The length and weight of fetuses decreased in treated groups and there was a significant difference between treated and control groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Owing to the possible abortive effect of Stachys lavandulifolia, it is highly recommended to use it cautiously during pregnancy.
Keywords: Stachys lavandulifolia; abortifacient agents; medicinal plants; pregnant mice.