How Do Abortifacient Drugs Work in the Human Body?
The abortifacient definition refers to the chemical or biochemical compounds that can cause abortion. Abortion is the process of terminating the end product of fertilization that is embryo within or before 28 weeks of the pregnancy.
Abortifacient meaning includes abortion and expulsion of the embryo from the body. About 300 out of 1000 pregnancies are aborted in the developing nations which are about 30% of the total, it is important to note that abortion is a very common part of fertility regulation.
Abortions can be done due to various reasons as, unwanted pregnancy, complications in pregnancy, forced or illegal abortion, female foeticide is also among the major factor contributing to this high percentage. Abortifacients can be categorized into natural abortifacients also known as herbal abortifacients. Another class of abortifacients includes chemical abortifacients
History
The history of abortifacients dates back to ancient times in human civilization, Carl Linnaeus, who is also known as the father of modern botany has documented various medical plants that act as natural abortifacients. These plants have the capability of expelling embryos from the maternal body causing abortion.
The plants that were documented by Carl Linnaeus included the following, (Mentha pulegium), angelica (Angelica species), and tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).
These were recorded in the book named Materia medica. According to the documentation by historians abortifacient were very common in the early 17 and 18th century, it is only after the reinforcement by the catholic church in the 1830s, abortion and medical termination of pregnancy were considered illegal.
It is important to note that even today abortion has many political and religious issues associated with it, it leads to the development of taboo and a high rate of illegal abortions. With the increasing rate of illegal abortions, the health of females has seen a decline.
Natural Abortifacients
These are the botanical compounds or plant extracts that can induce abortion thus acting as abortifacient according to the abortifacient meaning. There is not enough scientifically published information about the mechanism of action of these drugs, or the relative safety of these drugs when ingested. There are several review papers published to draw a statistical value of lethality or toxicity attributed to the ingestion of these herbal abortifacients.
According to the study conducted by the toxicological department of Uruguay, natural abortifacients showed a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Around 86 people participated in the study who had ingested one or other kinds of herbal abortifacient. The exact mechanism of the infusions is still not known, but it is hypothesized that mechanical and biochemical degradation of the uterine lining causes the abortion. There are the following risk signs and symptoms associated with ingestion of herbal abortifacient such as,
Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Genital haemorrhage
Abortion
Anaemia
Jaundice
Liver enlargement Oligo-anuria
Neurologic depression
Respiratory distress
Increased concentration of potassium and, creatinine
In some more severe cases, the patient ingesting the herb may MOSF, which refers to multiple organ system failures which very lethal and often results in death and sometimes paralysis.
There are some commonly used plants, plant extract, and infusion of different herbs that are used as natural abortifacients, following is the list of abortifacients that are widely used by people.
Ruta chalepensis
Lycopodium Saururus
Petroselinum hortense
Mentha pulegium
Margiricarpus pınnatus
Origanum vulgare
Arnica montana
Apium spp
Artemisia absinthium
Brugmansia arborea
Arctium minus
Myristica fragans
Nicotiana glauca
Eupatorium spp
Luhea divaricate
Bauhinia forficata
Allium sativum
Anise
Aloe arborescens
Cinnamomum spp
Cynara spp
Solanum sisymbriifolium
Foeniculum vulgare
Tansy abortifacient and mugwort abortifacient are the two most common natural abortifacients; they have also been mentioned in the book of Carl Linneaus. Tansy abortifacient apart from causing abortion, are used to treat diseases like stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, gas, bloating, stomachache, stomach spasms, and poor appetite. But even with these plants, there is not enough medical evidence to support their safety and effectiveness for termination of pregnancy.
Chemical Abortifacient
These are the drugs or the chemical compounds that are used to medically terminate the pregnancy. It is important to note that abortifacient meaning only includes termination of pregnancy; they are not contraceptive pills; they only act after successful fertilization. They are relatively way safer than the alternative. Extensive research and medical evidence ensure the low risk of toxicity or adverse effects. But still noteworthy that unprescribed and regular use of these compounds may lead to some kind of side effects. The more common and less harmful effect includes nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.
The most common type of drug that is used is mifepristone (also known as RU-486), a steroidal drug, and methotrexate which is an antimetabolite. Misoprostol, another drug that is very commonly used with methotrexate as a conjugate. It contracts the uterine walls leading to the expulsion of the embryo along with the placenta.
Mifepristone acts by competing with the progesterone receptor at uterine linings, bind of the drug blocks the activity of the progesterone. Progesterone is responsible for the formation of corpus leuteum that helps in implication and sustaining the fertilization. Thus mifepristone terminates the pregnancy by blocking progesterone activity, which in turn results in unsuccessful implantation of the fertilized cell.
Abortifacient Drugs and Their Biochemical Description
Drugs and Their Drug Target
This table explains the list of abortifacients drug target, drug target is the specific transporter, receptor, or another component of the cell that is blocked by the drug administration.
FAQs on Abortifacient: Meaning, Examples, and Biological Impact
1. What is the precise biological definition of an abortifacient?
An abortifacient is any substance, drug, or agent that induces abortion by terminating a pregnancy after implantation has occurred. Its primary biological function is to cause the expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus. This is distinct from a contraceptive, which aims to prevent fertilisation or implantation in the first place.
2. What are the different types of abortifacients with examples?
Abortifacients can be broadly categorised into two main types based on their origin and mechanism:
- Pharmaceutical Abortifacients: These are medically prescribed drugs used for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP). Common examples include Mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone needed to sustain pregnancy, and Misoprostol, which causes uterine contractions.
- Natural or Herbal Abortifacients: These are substances derived from plants that have been traditionally used to induce abortion. Examples include tansy and mugwort. However, their use is medically unsafe due to risks of toxicity, unpredictable dosage, and incomplete abortion.
3. How do the most common abortifacient drugs, like Mifepristone and Misoprostol, work biologically?
The combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol works in a two-step process. First, Mifepristone, an antiprogestin, is administered. It blocks the action of progesterone, a hormone essential for maintaining the uterine lining (endometrium). This causes the endometrium to break down, detaching the embryo. Second, Misoprostol, a prostaglandin analogue, is given 24-48 hours later. It induces strong contractions in the uterus, leading to the expulsion of the embryonic tissue.
4. What is the key difference between an abortifacient and a contraceptive?
The fundamental difference lies in their stage of action. A contraceptive works to prevent pregnancy by either stopping ovulation (e.g., birth control pills), blocking sperm from reaching the egg (e.g., condoms), or preventing the fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus (e.g., some IUDs). In contrast, an abortifacient works after pregnancy has been established (post-implantation) to terminate it by causing the expulsion of the embryo or fetus.
5. What is the biological impact of an abortifacient on the female reproductive system?
The primary biological impact is the termination of pregnancy. This is achieved by disrupting the hormonal balance required for gestation and stimulating uterine activity. Specifically, an abortifacient causes the breakdown of the uterine lining, detachment of the embryo, and initiates uterine contractions to expel the contents. Medically supervised procedures are designed to manage these effects safely, but potential impacts can include heavy bleeding, cramping, and hormonal fluctuations.
6. Why is the use of abortifacients in India strictly regulated under the MTP Act?
The use of abortifacients is regulated under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to ensure safety, prevent misuse, and reduce maternal mortality rates. The act specifies the conditions under which a pregnancy can be terminated, the approved gestation periods (as per the 2021 amendment), and mandates that the procedure must be performed by a registered medical practitioner. This legal framework prevents self-medication with dangerous substances and ensures that abortions are conducted in a safe and hygienic medical environment, addressing both health and ethical considerations.
7. Can a substance be both a contraceptive and an abortifacient? What are the misconceptions?
This is a common point of confusion. By strict definition, a substance is one or the other based on its primary mechanism. However, some methods, like hormonal IUDs or emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), are primarily contraceptive but have a secondary mechanism that *may* prevent implantation of a fertilised egg. This post-fertilisation, pre-implantation action is sometimes debated, but it is not considered an abortifacient effect because an abortifacient acts after implantation has already occurred. The key misconception is equating prevention of implantation with the termination of an established pregnancy.
