Developmental Toxicity of Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Achyranthes aspera, Amaranthaceae in Rat Embryos and Fetuses

Abstract

Introduction Achyranthes aspera is one of the medicinal plants widely used for fertility control in the local health system of Ethiopia. Objective Assessment of developmental toxicity of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Achyranthes aspera in rat embryos and fetuses . Methods Fresh leaves were extracted by mixing the grinded powder with 70% ethanol. Then, the extract was given orally to gravid Wistar rats at doses of 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg from day 6–12 of gestation. On gestational days 12 and 20, embryos and fetuses were examined for developmental and gross malformations. Results On day 12 embryos, the number of implantation sites and somites in 1000 mg/kg treated rats were significantly reduced. The number of implantation sites in pair-fed control and 1000 mg/kg groups was 11.2±0.86 and 8.34±0.65, respectively. Retarded development of hindlimb, forelimb, optic and olfactory systems was detected at a high dose. In addition, the number of branchial bar was significantly reduced in 1000 mg/kg dose. In near-term fetuses, significant reduction of litter weight and crown–rump length was seen at 1000 mg/kg dose. Crown–rump length in pair-fed control and 1000 mg/kg treated groups was 2.82±0.17 cm and 2.31±0.11 cm, respectively. Fetal resorptions and deaths in 1000 mg/kg were 1.45±0.65 and 0.81±0.67, respectively. However, external anomalies were not detected for all offspring at all doses. Conclusion The finding suggests that ethanolic leaf extracts of A. aspera have detrimental effects on the development of rat embryos and fetuses at a higher dose. The possible teratogenic effects were indicated with the substantial retardation in embryonic and fetal development, decrease in number of implantation sites and rise in fetal resorptions and death. Moreover, it resulted in significant reduction in litter weight and crown–rump length at a higher dose.

Subchronic toxicity study of herbal tea of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cudof. and Mentha spicata L. leaves formulation in Wistar albino rats

“…However, researches have proven that not all medicinal plants are safe and without of adverse effects. Various adverse effects have been reported with the administration of different herbs including systemic toxic effects of Acacia ataxacantha [22] and Caralluma dalzielii [23] as well as developmental toxic effects of Achyranthes aspera [25] . The adverse effects can result from inherent toxic effect of the active principle or long-term use or overdosing.…”

“…This was observed in long-term toxicity study of the leaf extract of Acacia ataxacantha, where the extract (at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) induced glomerular necrosis in the kidney, kupffer cells hyperplasia with hepatocellular necrosis in the liver and mucosal necrosis in the stomach [22] . Furthermore, various adverse effects (hematological and biochemical toxicity, organ toxicity, and teratogenic) have been reported with different mono and poly-herbal materials [23] , [24] , [25] . Therefore, toxicity studies are important to ensure the safety of medicinal herbs within a scientific platform to be used as therapeutics.…”

Toxicity Assessment of Curculigo orchioides Leaf Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster: A Preliminary Study

“…Along this line, several reports have raised the safety concerns associated with their short and long-term uses in the recent past. For instance, studies have demonstrated the cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, reproductive, behavioural, and developmental toxicity of plants/extracts in various experimental model systems [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, it is pertinent to determine medicinal plants’ toxic properties before advocating their usage.…”

Prenatal developmental toxicity study of herbal tea of Moringa stenopetala and Mentha spicata leaves formulation in Wistar rats

“…Pregnancy is a period when herbs and herbal preparations are usually contraindicated [34] . Many adverse effects have been reported with the use and/or administration of herbs and herbal blends during pregnancy, including urogenital malformation, trachea-esophageal fistula, spina bifida, and imperforate anus in humans [35] , [36] , maternal systemic and reproductive adverse effects, fetal death, retarded growth, and teratogenicity effects in rats [37] , [38] , [39] . In light of this information, assessing the prenatal developmental toxicity of the herbal formulation under study is necessary to ensure its safety before human use.…”