Parallel effects of Pulsatilla and exogenous leutocyclin on the rat ovary, uterus and thyroid^{[ ** ]}

Summary

A comparative study of Pulsatilla (a homœopathic medicine) and leutocyclin was undertaken in female albino rats showing regular oestrus cycles. Pulsatilla in the 30th and 200th potencies was administered orally, and leutocyclin was injected in doses of 0·125 mg and 1·25 mg. 0·25 ml/dose of 90 per cent. alcohol was used as the vehicle.

Pulsatilla 30 and 200 and leutocyclin at a dose of 1·25 mg markedly reduced the weight of the ovary. The higher dose of leutocyclin (1·25 mg) and both the attenuations of Pulsatilla increased the process of atresia in ovarian follicles. But a simultaneous decrease in the number and diameters of the corpora lutea was observed.

Administration of Pulsatilla and leutocyclin resulted in reduction in the weight of the uterus and the height of the endometrium and luminal epithelium. There was also a reduction in the height of epithelial cells in the thyroid. Both Pulsatilla and leutocyclin enhanced mitotic division in the uterine stroma.

The results indicate that leutocyclin in doses of between 0·125 mg and 1·25 mg may be used to produce similar changes in the ovary, uterus and thyroid of the rat as Pulsatilla 30 and 200.

^** A paper presented at the Second Annual Conference of the Federation of the Indian Societies of Endocrinology held at CDRI, Lucknow in November 1977

^* Surgical Research Laboratory, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, India.