ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Embelia schimperi Vatke (
family Myrsinaceae) is a commonly consumed anthelminthic
plant in
Ethiopia. The
plant has significant
efficacy in treating intestinal worms. However, there are limited data about the
safety/
toxicity of the
plant. Moreover, the teratogenic effect of the
plant is not yet well studied despite significant number of Ethiopian
mothers consuming
herbal medication during their
pregnancy.
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the teratogenic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of E. schimperi
fruit on
rat embryos and
fetuses.
Methods:
Pregnant albino
Wistar rats were treated with 80% hydroalcoholic
fruit extract of E. schimperi at 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg
dosage, whilst the controls were pair-fed and ad libitum groups. Maternal
food intake,
maternal weight gain, number of implantations, number of prior
resorptions, fetal viability, fetal weight, fetal and embryonic
crown-
ramp length, placental weight, placental gross morphology and histopathology of placental
tissue, number of
somites, embryonic system, gross/visceral morphological malformations, and
ossification centers were evaluated as teratogenicity indices.
Results:
The
crude extract of E. schimperi did not exhibit a significant difference in most developmental indices including the development of a
circulatory system,
nervous system, and
musculoskeletal systems among treated
animals and the controls. However, histopathological evaluation of
placentas from the
treatment groups showed that inflammatory reactions and calcifications compared to the pair-fed and ad libitum controls.
Conclusion:
Administration of the 80% hydroalcoholic extract of E. schimperi
fruit during the period of
organogenesis in
rats did not show a significant toxic effect on embryonic and fetal developmental indices. However, it might
affect the structural integrity of the
placenta as it is evidenced by inflammatory reactions and calcifications of
decidua basalis of
rat placenta.