The contractile responses of blue cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, and some its constituents on isolated longitudinal strips of mouse gastric tissues

Abstract

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is an herbal supplement shown to evoke contractile responses from uterine smooth muscle. It has been reported to induce labor among Native American and midwife patients. Since blue cohosh is ingested, the question of what effect it may have on other tissues is important. This study considers the contractile response from Mus musculus stomach fundus tissue subjected to blue cohosh and two of its constituents, N-methylcytisine and saponins. These compounds were administered in vitro to isolated stomach tissues in an organ bath. The overall effect of the treatments showed an increase in contractile forces when compared to the “0” treatment (p<0.0001). These responses however, were extremely small and are much smaller when compared to uterine contractile responses under similar conditions. The results herein would imply that taking blue cohosh as an aid for inducing labor should not result in unintended dramatic consequences from gastric motility.