APIOL AND STEEL
The apiol is an organic chemical compound, a phenylpropanoid extracted from the seeds and leaves of parsley (Petrosileum hortense).
Even in the ancient Greece, Hippocrates knew that parsley had abortive effects. Plants containing apiol were also used by women in the Middle Ages to terminate pregnancies. When in 1849 was held in Paris a prize in chemistry for the best substance to replace quininein, two doctors presented the apiol. Coincidentally, some patients, sicked with malaria and treated with apiol, suffered of amenorrhea. It was thus discovered that, among the side effects, apiol regularizes menstruation: it was discovered a new emmenagogue. The apiol began to be sold by many pharmaceutical companies under different names (Ergapiol, Apergol, Salutol) without prescription. The widespread was impressive, probably one half of volontary abortions was due to the use of this substance. We can find a lot of medical publication in which apiol’s toxicity is underlined.
“There is no justification for the prolonged use and availability of such preparations. Apiol’s preparations have no legitimate use of importance in therapeutic and the danger associated with their employment, especially the haphazard and unrestricted dosages of attempts at abortion, have provoked legislation making such preparation available for sale on prescription only.”
("Apiol Poisoning,1958")
Eventually it was retired from trade during the 60’.
Nowadays, the apiol is the forerunner of the most important chemical abortive.
The liberalization of abortion laws and new researches give woman the legal justification to perform abortion, new methodics more safe. Even though the use of plants to induce abortion is still a significant concern in many part of the world. The purpose of this report is to describe abortive effects of the apiol and to enhance awareness and understanding of their toxicity.
Abortive effects
The circumstances surrounding an induced abortion involve complex, legal, ethical, and social aspects. For the toxicologist, complexity is increased by two main problems. First, the patient usually denies the ingestion of any abortive substances,and secondary, standard medical training does not provide the pharmacological information to treat patient.
Apiol increases the tone and strength of miometral contraction, reduces the tone of vessels and causes necrosis of placental tissue. This chemical abortive is a not cruent method that allows to avoid perforation and infection, but is very poisonous.
The lowest dose of apiol that seems to be necessary to induce abortion is 0.9 g taken for 8 consecutive days.
Toxic effects
In the past there have been numerous cases of severe poisoning, often fatal, due to the empirical practice to use concentrated decoction of parsey seeds and / or leaves to induce abortion.
The toxic dose is difficult to define, because it depends on the mode of preparation and on the association with other substances that can enhance the toxicity of the product. But the facts that patient ingest an exceedingly large dose of the drug in a short period of time may help to enhance the severity of the symptoms.
1.He reacts with cell membrane dissolving the latter;
2.Patients show a bleeding tendency associated to trombocytopenia and an anemia partly due to blood loss and partly on a hemolytic basis.
3.Ematuria
4.Fatty liver and necrosis
5.Demielinization of peripheral nerves. All the cases reported would tend to show that the process is limitated to the peripheral nerves and there is no involvement of the SNC.
Symptoms
In relation to the mode of intoxication (abortion attempt), most of the subjects reach hospital at a distance of 12-24 hours or more after ingestion of the toxin.The symptoms are: nausea,vomiting, abdominal distress and diarrhea particularly in the early stages, a state of shock, massive hematuria, metroraggia, cutaneous petechiae and other signs of severe coagulation’s alteration. Frequently is observed hyperthermia and rapid progression to coma associated with brain damage. This syndrome has usually a rapid progression and ends with a fatal outcome. In the case of survival, the resolution of the coma and liver damage and kidney is slow.
MISOPROSTOL
What is misoprostol (Cytotec)?
Misoprostol reduces stomach acid and replaces protective substances in the stomach that are inhibited by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin.Misoprostol is used to prevent the formation of ulcers in the stomach during treatment with aspirin or an NSAID such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), piroxicam (Feldene), meloxicam (Mobic), tolmetin (Tolectin), nabumetone (Relafen), and fenoprofen (Nalfon). NSAIDs and aspirin are used to treat pain, fever, arthritis, and inflammatory conditions.
Misoprostol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of misoprostol (Cytotec)?
Stop taking misoprostol and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).Misoprostol may cause mild to moderate diarrhea, stomach cramps, and/or nausea. These problems usually occur during the first few weeks of treatment and stop after about a week. The occurrence of diarrhea may be minimized by taking misoprostol with food. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist for longer than 8 days or if they are severe.
Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take misoprostol and talk to your doctor if you experience
- vomiting;
- flatulence;
- constipation;
- headache; or
- menstrual cramps, spotting, or increased or irregular menstruation.
What is the most important information I should know about misoprostol (Cytotec)?
Do not take misoprostol for the prevention of stomach ulcers if you are pregnant or if you might become pregnant during treatment. If you do become pregnant during treatment with misoprostol, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately. Misoprostol is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that misoprostol is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Misoprostol can cause miscarriage or spontaneous abortion (sometimes incomplete which could lead to dangerous bleeding and require hospitalization and surgery), premature birth, or birth defects. Misoprostol has also been reported to cause uterine rupture (tearing) when given after the eighth week of pregnancy, which can result in severe bleeding, hysterectomy, and/or maternal or fetal death. A pregnancy test with negative results will be required within 2 weeks of starting treatment with misoprostol, and treatment will begin only on the second or third day of a regular menstrual cycle. Also, appropriate contraception will be needed to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for one menstrual cycle following treatment. In some cases, misoprostol may be used under the supervision of a doctor for the induction of labor and delivery or abortion.Do not share this medication with anyone else. Misoprostol has been prescribed for your specific condition, may not be the correct treatment for another person, and would be dangerous if the other person were pregnant.
SIMPLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING THIS DRUGS
1- can menstrogen taken 2-weeks after pregnancy be effective in preventing pregnancy
ANSWER-=