Reproductive toxicity assessment of Senecio scandens extract in kunming mice

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of Senecio scandens Buch. Ham.extract on reproductive spectrum in female mice using a three phase reproductive assessment method. Sperm abnormality rate was used to evaluate effect on genetic reproductive toxicity. Senecio scandens extract was relatively non-toxic at low doses in all phases of reproduction in female mice. However, it showed a dose-response effect on sperm abnormality rate, and at high doses has the potential to induce genetic reproductive toxicity in male mice. It is suggested that the well-understood pharmacological benefits of S. scandens extract as an herbal medicine far outweigh the minimal reproductive toxicity effects observed in this study.