title: Embryotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L.: in vivo and in vitro studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psoralea corylifolia L. (PC) was commonly used to treat miscarriages clinically. The aim of this study was to examine its embryotoxicity in mice and embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Quality control of PC extract including reference marker compounds, pesticide residues, and heavy metals was authenticated with HPLC, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Pregnant mice were randomly assigned into five groups and dosed with distilled water (G1), PC extract of 2 (G2), 4 (G3), or 8 g/kg/day (G4), and vitamin A (G5). Meanwhile, half maximal inhibitory concentration values for ESCs and 3T3 cells were identified in a cytotoxicity assay, and apoptosis in neuroepithelium was assessed by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the G4 group, a statistically significant decrease in the total fetus, live fetus, and gravid uterine weight, and increase in the resorbed fetus, postimplantation loss, and neuroepithelial apoptosis as well as maternal liver-weight were found (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PC extracts at 8 g/kg/day might cause fetal toxicity and maternal liver damage in mice, although it did not cause typical malformation and ESC's cytotoxicity in this experiment. Our data suggested that high dosage and long-term administration of PC preparations may not be safe for pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiao Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Kelvin S-Y
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Kam C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tak C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Chi M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yiu
authors.forename: Chi I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Zhong Z
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Zhi J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fong W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Fun
authors.forename: Ting T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ping X
authors.initials: PX
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced; D020567:Fetal Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D046569:Neuroepithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D029907:Psoralea / Q000737:chemistry*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D013723:Teratogens; D014801:Vitamin A