Lexi McCutcheon and Teresa DeGolier

Many of the most commonly used labor interventions come with risks to both mother and fetus. For that reason, some women use herbal methods to promote labor. Previous research suggests that fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, may serve to favor disease prevention. Fewer inquiries have targeted the role that fenugreek may have on uterine smooth muscle contractility and its potential to influence labor and delivery. This investigation used an organ bath system for assessing changes in contractile tension following the application of a prepared seed extract from fenugreek. Fenugreek concentrations (0.15 - 0.74 mg/20 mL) significantly increased contractile forces as compared to the baseline of the tissues endogenous motility (p < 0.0001). These outcomes, even though collected from isolated tissues, potentially provide support for any oral traditions claiming that fenugreek consumption may augment or aid in the promotion of labor.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2023.v12.i1a.14602

Pages: 15-19  |  894 Views  370 Downloads