The cotton plant is one
of the most important cultivated plants.
It is cultivated for its' fibers which
are made into clothes by the textile
industry. The most common parts used
are root bark and seeds. Part of the
seed contains a toxic substance (gossypol)
that has been used medicinally. This
substance has potential as a male contraceptive.
Historical Uses
Cotton has been used by
women for menstrual complaints such
as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular
and painful or profuse menstrual bleeding.
They also use it for climacteric complaints
and poor lactation, as an oxytocic and
to expel placenta afterbirth. Some traditional
uses include gastrointestinal complaints
such as nausea, diarrhea and dysentery,
as well as others such as urethritis,
pain, fever; headache and hemorrhage.
Indians used cottonseeds for treatment
of coughs, constipation, and gonorrhea.
Distribution
Gossypim hirsutum
is native to tropical America, China,
much of the former Soviet Union, India,
Pakistan, and Egypt. Gossypium herbaceum is native
to Asia and Africa. Now it is cultivated
in Egypt, China, India, Turkey, and
southern US.
Active Ingredients
Gossypium hirsutum:
Root bark contains acidic resin, volatile
oil, linoleic acid, phenolic acid, ceryl
alcohol, oleic and palmitic acids, isoquercitrin,
quercimeritin, quercetin-3-glucoside,
hirsutrin, serotonin, gossypicyanin,
histamine and other compounds. Seeds
contain gossypol. Gossypium herbaceum: Root bark
contains a peculiar acid resin, sugar,
gum, tannin, fixed oil, chlorophyll
and other substances. Seeds contain
gossypol.
Proven Scientific Evidence
Gossypium herbaceum:
Male contraceptive:
Cotton seed extract (gossypol) has a
potential for use as a male contraceptive.
A study on human sperm nuclear proteins
after low dose of gossypol treatment
was conducted in China. Fifteen men
took gossypol 15mg/d for 12 weeks and
10mg/d for 32 weeks. The outcomes of
the study showed that treatment with
low dose gossypol might lead to infertility
reversible after discontinuation of
treatment. Results of this study are
consistent with two other trials. One
study demonstrated a 92% infertility
efficacy rate. Abortifacient:
An animal trial of gossypol acetic acid
in female pregnant rats showed that
in high doses (80mg/d) gossypol can
interrupt early pregnancy. Also, long-term
use of 30mg/mg of gossypol was associated
with atrophy of the endometrium in rats.
Dosage Information
Gossypium hirsutum
is available as emulsion 40% (seeds)
taken as 60ml by mouth as single dose Gossypium herbaceum is available
as root bark tincture and liquid extract
2 to 4 ml. Standard single dose= 2g
or 10g of a 20% decoction.
Dose of liquid extract administered
during labor is a single dose of 1-2
teaspoonfuls.
Dried root bark decoction prepared by
boiling 1 teaspoon in a covered container
with 3 cups of water for 30 minutes.
Liquid should be taken cold, 1 to 2
cups per day.
Toxicities
Continuted consumption of
cotton seed extract (gossypol) will
lead to fertility disorder in men. Trials
conducted in China established that
gossypol directly induces hypokalemia
and possible impairment of kidney function.
When used orally in women cotton can
have abortifacient effect by producing
uterine stimulation. In animals, long-term
feeding with cotton seed cakes has been
associated with poisonings and deaths.
7. (Note: NLM translates the title and
an abstract to English, [article in
Chinese]). Cao J, Fei R, ZhaoY, et al,
Effect of low dose gossypol treatment
on male sperm nuclear basic protein
[abstract]. Zhongguo YI Xue Ke Xue Yuan
Xue Bao. 2000;22(3):220-2.
8. Khan S, Balick MJ. Therapeutic plants
of ayurveda: A review of selected clinical
and other studies for 166 species. The
J Alt & Comp Medicine. 2001; 7(5):405-515.
