Prenatal Developmental Toxicity and Histopathological Changes of the Placenta Induced by Syzygium guineense Leaf Extract in Rats

Abstract

Many of the traditional herbal products are served to the consumer without proper efficacy and safety investigations. A laboratory-based experimental study was employed to investigate the toxic effects of Syzygium guineense leaf extract on the fetal development and histopathology of the placenta in rats. Fifty pregnant Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into five groups, each consisting of 10 rats. S. guineense leaf extract, at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of body weight, was respectively administered to groups I-III rats. Groups four and five were control and ad libitum control, respectively. The number of resorptions, implantation sites, and live or dead fetuses was counted. The weight and crown-rump length of the fetuses were measured. The histopathological investigation of the placenta was conducted. Administration of 70% ethanol extract of S. guineense leaves reduced weight gain and food intake of pregnant rats at p value <0.05. The crown-rump length of the near-term rat fetus was significantly reduced in rats treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of S. guineense extract ( p value <0.05). The plant extract did not affect the number of implantations, fetal resorptions, live births, and stillbirths. The weight of the fetuses and the placentae also decreased dose-dependently. Decidual cystic degeneration was the most prevalent histopathological change observed in a rat’s placenta treated with 1000 mg/kg body weight of S. guineense extract. Consumption of S. guineense leaves, especially at a high dose, may affect fetal development. Therefore, liberal use of S. guineense leaves during pregnancy should be avoided.

Exploration of Teratogenic Effects of Bambusa vulgaris on Wistar Rats by Evaluating Morphological and Skeletal Parameters

“…The aqueous leaf extract of Syzygium guineense showed a similar dosedependent embryotoxic potential. [45] According to the current research, administering AEBV to the control and test-1 groups had no discernible impact. However, the animal model consistently caused sacral and cervical deformities in test groups 2 and 3 as compared to the control (Table 5).…”

“…The aqueous leaf extract of Syzygium guineense showed a similar dose‐dependent embryotoxic potential. [ 45 ]…”

Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Rhamnus prinoides Leaves on Histopathology of Liver, Kidney, and Brain Tissues, and Biochemical Profile of Rats

“…In safety assessment of medicinal plants, histopathological evaluations of organs provide informative evidence regarding the effects of a test substance on their microscopic structures [ 20 , 21 ]. Administration of ethanol extract of R. prinoides leaves for four weeks did not reveal a significant structural change in hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained tissue of the liver.…”

Medicinal plants utilized in the management of epilepsy in Ethiopia: ethnobotany, pharmacology and phytochemistry

“…The embryonic stage is a critical period where organs of the embryo as well as the placenta can be damaged if exposed to toxic agents directly or indirectly. At times, toxic agents may cross the compromised placental membrane and elicit debilitating effect on the developing embryonic/fetal tissues [ 228 ]. The developmental toxicity studies of crude extracts, solvent fractions and/or essential oils has paramount healthcare implications for PS consumed by pregnant women for therapeutic as well as nutritional purpose [ 229 ].…”

“…For instance, the developmental effect HET fruit extract of Embelia schimperi on embryo and fetuses was investigated by using Wistar albino rats and the result echoed that the crude extract was devoid of a significant toxic effect on embryonic and fetal development indices (in the period of organogenesis) at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight [ 230 ]. Similarly, the HET leaf extract of Syzygium guineense was evaluated at a dose of 250, 500 & 1000 mg/kg in the same animal model and the extract didn’t compromise the number of implantations, fetal resorptions, live births, and stillbirths in the same animal model though there was dose-dependent decrease in the weight of the fetuses and the placentae [ 228 ]. Abebe et al, also assessed the teratogenic potentials of the HET leaf extract of Gloriosa superba on Wistar albino rats (220–240 g) at a dose of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight.…”