WOGONIN, 5,7-DIHYDROXY-8-METHOXYFLAVONE AS ESTROGENIC AND ANTI-IMPLANTATIONAL AGENT IN THE RAT

Wogonin, 5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone, extracted from Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz. has been tested for oestrogenic and anti‐implantational activities in the rat. Wogonin displayed mild oestrogenic but effective anti‐implantational activities. In the three days uterotrophic bioassay, at a dose level of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, intramuscularly, the wet uterine and vaginal weights increased significantly. Wogonin at the same dose level when given intramuscularly from days 1–3, 4–6, 1–7 post coitum and orally from days 1–7 post coitum effectively inhibited implantation. However, when the drug was administered from days 7–9 post coitum, it did not affect the implantation, but interfered with normal development of the embryos which resulted in the resorption of foetuses. Wogonin, a mild oestrogenic compound, exhibited interceptory activity at all the stages of pregnancy. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.