Aqueous root extract of Selayak Hitam a plant commonly found in Malaysian jungles and reported to have abortifacient property was screened for oxytocic effect. Results obtained from in vitro experiments on isolated uterus preparation from both pregnant and non pregnant rats and in vivo experiments on uterus contraction in rats in situ, showed that the extract lacks oxytocic effect. It is concluded that the alleged abortifacient property if any, is not mediated through oxytocin or oxytocic-like effect.
Studies made on aqueous root extract of Selayak Hitam, a plant alleged to possess abortifacient activity in pregnant mothers established that the extract is teratogenic and did in fact cause abortion in mice. It was also observed that the aqueous root extract is relatively toxic as judged by the number of deaths occuring following administration of the extract. The mechanism by which abortion is brought about is unknown but it is possible that the abortifacient effect is due to the induced teratogenic activity, brought about by the extract.