Study of Embryotoxicity of Mentha piperita L. During Organogenesis in Balb/c Mice

Abstract

SUMMARY:Mentha piperita (Labiatae), commonly known as peppermint is a native Iranian herb which is used in folk medicine for various purposes. This study was carried out to reveal the teratogenic effect of Mentha piperita on mice fetuses. In this experimental study, pregnant Balb/c mice divided to four groups. Case group received 600 (treatment I) and 1200 (treatment II) mg/kg/day the hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita during 6-15 of gestational days and one control group received normal saline during GD6-GD15 by gavages and other control group did not receive any matter during 6-15 of gestational days. Mice sacrificed at GD18 and embryos were collected. Macroscopic observation was done by stereomicroscope. 20 fetuses of each group were stained by Alizarin red-S and Alcian blue staining method. The Mean weight of fetuses decreased in treatment groups rather than control (P<0.05) but CRL there was no significant difference between treatments and controls groups. In the treatment I (600 mg/kg/day) and treatment II (1200 mg/kg/day), normal saline and control group, no gross congenital malformations were observed in fetuses. Treated fetuses also had no delayed bone ossification as determined by Alizarin red-S and Alcian blue staining method. This study showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita (600 and 1200 mg/ kg/day) has no teratogenic effect in mice fetuses if used continuously during embryonic period.

Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Potentials of Salacia lehmbachii in Rats

“…The lack of maternal toxicity in this study as avidenced by absence of maternal deaths and clinical signs of toxicity as well as the similarity in food and water intake in all experimental groups suggests that the extracts do not cause developmental toxicity. Similar results were obtained from the root extract of S. Reticulata and extract of the aerial parts of Mentha piperita [42,43].…”

“…Since literature search shows no previous work on the effect of Salacia lehmbachii on pregnancy and fetal development, there are no results on the plant to compare with findings of this work. However, effects of Salacia reticulata, a specie in the genus, Salacia and some other herbs on pregnancy and fetal development have been evaluated [35,[40][41][42][43][44][45][46].…”

Evaluation of developmental toxicity of guaifenesin using pregnant female rats

“…Other studies reported that the decrease in fetal weight could be due to the reabsorption of extracellular liquid. [ 22 ]…”

Toxicological effects ofMentha x piperita(peppermint): a review

“…However, fetal weights were decreased in the treatment group which was attributed either to inhibition of cell growth via an inherent genotoxic effect or reabsorption of fetal extracellular fluid . 121 In another study, the effect of natural Brazilian menthol was examined on a variety of pregnant species. These included mice (≤ 185 mg/kg/day on gestation days 6-15), rats (≤ 218 mg/kg on gestation days 6 to 15), hamsters (≤ 405 mg/kg/day on days 6-10 of gestation) and artificially inseminated rabbits (≤ 425 mg/kg/day on gestation days 6 to 18).…”