Study of embryotoxicity of Perovskia abrotanoides, an adulterant in folk-medicine, during organogenesis in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Perovskia abrotanoides is a medicinal herb which traditionally has been used as a topical application to treat leishmaniasis in Iran. Due to similarities of the flowers of Perovskia abrotanoides and Echium species, it is added as an adulterant to Echium preparations in Iran. Echium flowers have been used in Iranian traditional medicine as an "anti-stress", tranquilizer, and energizer drink, fighting common cold and bronchitis particularly during pregnancy. In this study, the in vivo embryotoxicity of 0.125 and 0.25 g/kg of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Perovskia abrotanoides during organogenesis in mice has been investigated.


METHODS
Maternal body weights were recorded and pregnant females were observed daily throughout gestation. After cesarean section, fetuses were weighed, lengthed and examined for gross external malformations. Others were fixed then stained with Alcian blue and Alizarin red to view any skeletal malformations.


RESULTS
Our results indicated that this herb causes minimal maternal toxicity, while resorption, stillborn, fetal malformations including polydactyly, spina bifida, aglossia, tarsal extensor, gastroschisis, and numerous skeletal abnormalities were detected particularly in the ethanolic extract groups. Specific skeletal abnormalities based on type of extract were also observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Since Perovskia abrotanoides is widely used in traditional medicine intentionally or inadvertently, it is advisable its use during pregnancy should be avoided and strict regulations are imposed to prevent its addition to commercial preparations of other herbal products.
Moallem
Seyed Adel
SA
Department of Pharmacodynamy & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Toxicology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. moallem@mums.ac.ir
Niapour
Mariam
M
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity
D010936:Plant Extracts