Maternal-fetal repercussions of Phyllanthus niruri L. treatment during rat pregnancy

Phytochemical composition, toxicological profiling and effect on pup birth weight of Corchorus olitorius leaf extract in rats: Implications for fetal macrosomia control

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Corchorus olitorius is used in ethnomedicine to arrest threatened miscarriage, ease labour, and promote smooth childbirth.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the phytochemical composition, toxicity profile, and effect of Corchorus olitorius L. leaf extract (COLE) on fetal macrosomia control in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical constituents of COLE were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A single dose of up to 5000 mg/kg was administered in the acute toxicity test, and the rats were monitored for 14 days. In the sub-acute toxicity study, rats were treated with the extract for 28 days, and liver function, renal function, lipid profile, and serum antioxidant parameters, coupled with liver and kidney histology, were used to assess the toxicity potential of the extract. In the pup birth weight study, treatment of pregnant rats lasted until the birth of pups and continued for an extra 4 weeks. Rats in group 1 served as a control, whereas rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received daily doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of COLE, respectively, via oral gavage.

RESULTS

Bioactive compounds such as D-limonene, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid (Z), dodecanoic acid, and ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate with well-known pharmacological activities were detected. LD50 of COLE was >5000 mg/kg. COLE decreased body weight and increased red blood cell, packed cell volume, and haemoglobin values when compared with the control (p < 0.05). COLE significantly decreased alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase but did not cause any significant (p > 0.05) changes in other biochemical (liver and kidney) parameters when compared to control. COLE decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Birth weights of pups were significantly decreased in the COLE-treated groups when compared with the control (p < 0.05), but the observed difference terminated by the fourth week of weaning.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that COLE is not toxic but has several bioactive compounds with known pharmacological activities and therefore may be a safe oral agent for fetal macrosomia control.

Reproductive toxicity of JJH201501 in rats: Perinatal study

INTRODUCTION

In this study, JJH201501 was examined for reproductive toxicity during the perinatal period to support its safety as a novel serotonergic agent (5-HT) antidepressant. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (F0, n = 24/group) were continuously exposed to 0 (control), 6, 18, and 60 mg/kg body weight/day of JJH201501 by intragastric administration from gestation day 15 to lactation day 21.

METHODS

During this period, maternal toxicity was evaluated based on clinical signs, body weight, feed intake, delivery condition, litter parameters, and necropsy, with body weight, sex ratios, malformation incidence, physical, and neurodevelopmental assessments conducted on all offspring rats. Ten pups (male:female 1:1) from each dam within each dose group on postnatal day 4 (PND4) were randomly selected. One pair was evaluated for behavior evaluations (F1a) after PND35, one for reproduction performance (F1b) after 10 weeks, and three for organ weight and deformities (F1c) on PND35. After successful mating, F1b male rats were weighed and dissected to assess reproductive organ weight and sperm motility. Pregnant F1b rats were weighed and monitored for food intake twice weekly until laparotomy on GD14, which recorded live/dead fetuses, resorptions, implantations, corpora lutea, and uterine weight. Some statistical differences were found between the JJH-treated and control groups in maternal weight, food consumption, and F1 body weight and water maze performance.

RESULTS

Autopsy results showed that JJH201501 had a low cardiac index effect in F0, with no significant histopathological changes detected. Only one F1 offspring died in the high-dose group throughout the experiment. Due to the lack of dose-dependent effects and the consistent growth pattern of these alterations, the study findings do not suggest any toxicological significance for the observed results.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of JJH201501 for perinatal rats is about 60 mg/kg b.w./day.

Absence of maternal-fetal adverse effects of Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv. following treatment during pregnancy in mice

Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv is a plant native to Brazil that exhibits various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ethanol extract of Alternanthera littoralis (EEAl) on reproductive outcomes, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant Swiss female mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10): controls were administered either 1% Tween 80 (vehicle), EEAl 100 mg/kg or EEAl 1000 mg/kg. Treatment was administered through gavage during the gestational period until day 18. On gestational days 16, 17, and 18, a peripheral blood sample from the tail vein was obtained for DNA integrity analysis (micronucleus test). After the last collection, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Maternal organs and fetuses were collected, weighed, and subsequently analyzed. Reproductive outcome parameters were assessed by measurement of number of implants, live fetuses, and resorptions. Embryonic development was determined by adequacy of weight for gestational age as well as determination of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Data demonstrated that EEAl did not produce maternal toxicity at either dose associated with no marked alterations in any of the reproductive outcome parameters including implantation sites, live/dead fetuses ratio, fetal viability, post-implantation losses, resorptions, and resorption rate. However, EEAl 1000 group reduced embryofetal development by lowering placental weight. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of external and skeletal malformations in the EEAl 1000 group, which could not be attributed to extract exposure as these values were within control levels. Based upon our findings, evidence indicates that the EEAl at the concentrations employed in our study may be considered safe for use during pregnancy and extracts of this plant show potential for development of phytomedicines to be used in pregnancy.

Maternal-fetal toxicity of Strychnos pseudoquina extract treatment during pregnancy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants and herbs have been used by women throughout history for therapeutic purposes. Strychnos pseudoquina, a plant used in the treatment of various diseases, can also function as an abortive herb. There is no scientific confirmation of its effects during pregnancy, and the activity of this plant needs to be substantiated or refuted with experimental evidence.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluating the effect of the S. pseudoquina aqueous extract on maternal reproductive toxicity and fetal development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aqueous extract of S. pseudoquina bark was evaluated in Wistar rats. Pregnant rats were distributed into four experimental groups (n = 12 rats/group): Control = treated with water (vehicle); Treated 75, Treated 150, and Treated 300 = treated with S. pseudoquina at dose 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The rats were treated by an intragastric route (gavage) from day 0 to day 21 of pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy, maternal reproductive outcomes, organs, biochemical and hematological profiles, fetuses, and placentas were analyzed. Maternal toxicity was evaluated through body weight gain, water, and food intake. With knowledge of the harmful dosage of the plant, other rats were used on gestational day 4 for the evaluation of morphological analyses before embryo implantation. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The S. pseudoquina treatment showed elevated liver enzymatic activities. The Treated 300 group presented toxicity with reduced maternal body weight, water and food intake, and increased kidney relative weight compared to those of the Control group. At a high dosage, the plant presents an abortifacient activity, confirmed by embryo losses before and after implantation and degenerated blastocysts. In addition, the treatment contributed to an increased percentage of fetal visceral anomalies, decreased ossification sites, and intrauterine growth restriction (300 mg/kg dose).

CONCLUSION

In general, our study showed that an aqueous extract of S. pseudoquina bark caused significant abortifacient activity that testified to its traditional use. Furthermore, the S. pseudoquina extract caused maternal toxicity that contributed to impaired embryofetal development. Therefore, the use of this plant should be completely avoided during pregnancy to prevent unintended abortion and risks to maternal-fetal health.

Toxicological effects of the Morinda citrifolia L. fruit extract on maternal reproduction and fetal development in rats

Morinda citrifolia L., also known as Noni, is widely used plant in folk medicine for various therapeutic purposes. However, reports on its effects during pregnancy are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the M. citrifolia fruit extract on maternal performance and fetal development during pregnancy in rats. Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 12/group) were treated from gestational days (GD) 0-21 with water (control group) or the aqueous extract of M. citrifolia fruit at doses of 200, 400, or 750 mg/kg, orally. During pregnancy, clinical signs of toxicity, maternal weight, feed intake, and water consumption were noted. On GD 21, the rats were anesthetized and blood was collected to evaluate various biochemical parameters. During laparotomy, reproductive performance parameters were recorded, and fetuses were weighed and the anomalies analyzed. Reduced placental efficiency and fetal growth restriction were observed in the group treated with 400 mg/kg of M. citrifolia extract. The highest dose (750 mg/kg) augmented aspartate aminotransferase concentration and preimplantation losses, while reducing the number of live fetuses. Furthermore, both doses (400 and 750 mg/kg) of the plant extract caused fetal anomalies. In conclusion, consumption of high doses of the M. citrifolia aqueous extrac during pregnancy leads to maternal hepatotoxicity, anti-implantation effects, intrauterine growth restriction and fetal abnormalities, indicating that the plant fruit extract can be harmful to both the mother and the fetus.

UV-Accelerated Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle-Pluronic Nanocomposites for X-ray Computed Tomography Contrast Enhancement

Eco-friendly chemical methods using FDA-approved Pluronic F127 (PLU) block copolymer have garnered much attention for simultaneously forming and stabilizing Au nanoparticles (AuNPs). Given the remarkable properties of AuNPs for usage in various fields, especially in biomedicine, we performed a systematic study to synthesize AuNP-PLU nanocomposites under optimized conditions using UV irradiation for accelerating the reaction. The use of UV irradiation at 254 nm resulted in several advantages over the control method conducted under ambient light (control). The AuNP-PLU-UV nanocomposite was produced six times faster, lasting 10 min, and exhibited lower size dispersion than the control. A set of experimental techniques was applied to determine the structure and morphology of the produced nanocomposites as affected by the UV irradiation. The MTT assay was conducted to estimate IC50 values of AuNP-PLU-UV in NIH 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and the results suggest that the sample is more compatible with cells than control samples. Afterward, in vivo maternal and fetal toxicity assays were performed in rats to evaluate the effect of AuNP-PLU-UV formulation during pregnancy. Under the tested conditions, the treatment was found to be safe for the mother and fetus. As a proof of concept or application, the synthesized Au:PLU were tested as contrast agents with an X-ray computed tomography scan (X-ray CT).

Influence of Swimming Program on the Blood Pressure of Pregnant Hypertensive Rats and Their Fetuses

The hypertension incidence and its complication on pregnant women are growing and can lead to adverse consequences on their fetuses. However, it is known that regular exercise practice can be healthful to hypertensive pregnant women but harmful to fetal growth. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise beginning before pregnancy or during pregnancy on the maternal blood pressure and reproductive outcome and on the fetal development of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Pregnant SHR were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: (1) SHR-Control, non-exercised; (2) SHR-Ex0, rats submitted to physical exercise (swimming program) from day zero to 20 of pregnancy; (3) and SHR-ExPr, rats submitted to swimming program before and during pregnancy. At end of pregnancy (day 21), the rats were anesthetized, and reproductive parameters and fetal development were assessed. Blood pressure was reduced at the end of pregnancy in all the groups. Regardless of swimming exposure time, there was reduced maternal weight gain. The exercise decreased fetal weight at term pregnancy, with a higher percentage of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses and lower number ossification sites, indicating intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In conclusion, our findings provide insight to support that swimming exercise in pregnant SHR impairs fetal development, causing IUGR and visceral malformations. Therefore, the indication of physical exercise must be defined very carefully, as it can compromise fetal development.

Effects of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri Linn during pregnancy and lactation on neurobehavioral parameters of rats' offspring

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Phyllanthus niruri L. (Phyllanthaceae) is a plant used in traditional medicine, mainly to treat kidney stones. However, the effects of maternal exposure to P. niruri remain poorly explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of aqueous extract of P. niruri (AEPN) during pregnancy and lactation, in maternal toxicity, reflex maturation, and offspring memory.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pregnant rats were divided into three groups (n = 8/group): Control (vehicle), AEPN 75, and AEPN 150 (each respectively treated with P. niruri at a dose of 75 and 150 mg/kg/day). The animals were treated via intragastric gavage during pregnancy and lactation. Weight gain, feed intake, and reproductive performance were analyzed in the mothers. In the offspring, the following tests were performed: Neonatal Reflex Ontogeny, Open Field Habituation Test and the Object Recognition Test in adulthood.

RESULTS

Maternal exposure to AEPN did not influence weight gain, feed intake, or reproductive parameters. In the offspring, anticipation of reflex ontogenesis (time of completion) was observed (p < 0.05). During adulthood, the AEPN groups presented decreases in exploratory activity upon their second exposure to the Open Field Habituation Test (in a dose-dependent manner) (p < 0.05). In the Object Recognition Test, administration of the extract at 75 and 150 mg/kg induced significant dose-dependent improvements in short and long-term memory (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Administration of the AEPN accelerated the reflex maturation in neonates, and improved offspring memory while inducing no maternal or neonatal toxicity.

Maternal-fetal outcomes of exercise applied in rats with mild hyperglycemia after embryonic implantation

BACKGROUND

Exercise is commonly recommended to control hyperglycemia, including during pregnancy. We conducted this study to understand the potential benefits and risks of exercise during pregnancy of women with diabetes. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of swimming on a diabetic rat during pregnancy and assayed maternal-fetal parameters.

METHODS

Diabetes was induced in the female newborn from Wistar rats by the streptozotocin administration on first postnatal day. At 110 days of life, after confirm mild symptoms of diabetes, the rats were mated and randomly distributed into four experimental groups (minimum of 13 animals/group): Control (C)-nondiabetic animals without swimming; Control and Exercise (CEx)-nondiabetic animals submitted to swimming; Mild Diabetic (MD)-diabetic animals without swimming; Mild Diabetic and Exercise (MDEx)-diabetic animals submitted to swimming. The swimming program was performed from day 7 to 21 of pregnancy. Maternal parameters were evaluated during the pregnancy period. On day 21 of pregnancy, the rats were sacrificed and maternal and fetal parameters analyzed.

RESULTS

There are no alterations in body weight, food consumption, water intake, and reproductive outcomes among the groups. The swimming program did not normalize maternal glycemia and other biochemical biomarkers. The diabetes and exercise combination increased organ weight. The fetuses born to these exercising diabetic rats had reduced fetal weight and increased skeletal anomalies (mainly incomplete ossification of sternebra).

CONCLUSION

The intense swimming exercise imposed on female rats during pregnancy impaired maternal metabolic repercussions, contributing to intrauterine growth restriction and fetal skeletal anomalies.