Trichosanthin As an Abortifacient for Terminating Early Pregnancy in Mice

Objective: To test trichosanthin--a basic protein from Trichosanthes kirilowii--as abortifacient, and effect on subsequent pregnancy.

Methods: Female mice, on day 1, 2, or 3 of pregnancy, given 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, or 0.25 mg/25 g body wt., intraperitoneally. Animals killed on day 11 for assessment of abortion, or day 4 for examination of embryos. Subsequent pregnancy was tested after 20 days in mice that had aborted completely.

Results: With 0.20-0.25 mg/25 g, 64-80% aborted. At day 4, pre-implantation development was disturbed, many still being morulae (in the oviduct). Subsequent pregnancies and offspring were entirely normal.

Conclusions: Trichosanthin, long used to effect abortion in humans in China, has congruent effects on ICR laboratory mice.