Ruta graveolens aqueous extract retards mouse preimplantation embryo development.
This work was undertaken to examine possible embryotoxicity of Ruta graveolens (rue), a plant used by indigenous communities for the purposes of therapeutic and fertility regulation. Superovulated mice were mated and isolated after copulation. They were given aqueous extract of R. graveolens (5, 10, and 20% w/v) or plain water (control) orally for 4 days. Ninety-eight hours post-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), embryos were flushed from oviducts and uterine horns to assess their state of development and extent of embryo transport. Ingestion of rue at 10 and 20% resulted in a high proportion of abnormal embryos (36.7 and 63.6%, respectively, P<0.05). Cell number was diminished (P<0.01) and embryo transport was slightly delayed in the highest dose group. These findings demonstrate that oral administration of R. graveolens extract can interfere with preimplantation development and embryo transport.
Gutiérrez-Pajares
Jorge L
JL
Laboratorio de Reproducción y Biología del Desarrollo, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru. jgutierr@genes.bio.puc.cl
Zúñiga
Lidia
L
Pino
José
J
D000818:Animals; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D009028:Morula / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D032105:Ruta / Q000737:chemistry*
D010936:Plant Extracts