title: Gestational exposure to Byrsonima verbascifolia: teratogenicity, mutagenicity and immunomodulation evaluation in female Swiss mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Byrsonima verbascifolia is used in folk medicine to treat diarrhea, intestinal infections, chronic wounds, Chagas disease, inflammation and as a diuretic. However there is no investigation regarding the Byrsonima verbascifolia hydrometanolic extract (BVHME) used during gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pregnant females were randomly divided into 5 groups. Control group received saline plus DMSO (1%) in a volume of 0.1 mL/10 g (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and throughout the gestational period. The Pre-treatment group received the BVHME, via gavage, at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.) for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to the appearance of the vaginal plug. The Organogenesis group received the BVHME at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, on the 5-15th gestational day. The Gestational group received the BVHME at a dose of 50 mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, throughout the gestational period (from the 1st to the 18th day of pregnancy). The Pre+Gestational group received the BVHME at a dose of 50mg/kg (b.w.), via gavage, for at least 15 days prior to mating and up to throughout the gestational period. The clinical signals of maternal and fetuses toxicity were evaluated, as the mutagenicity and immunomodulation tests were performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present investigation shows, for the first time, that the use of Byrsonima verbascifolia extract in pregnant Swiss mice, did not alter the female reproductive function, mutagenicity or immunostimulation as well as not interfere with embryofetal development at least in our experimental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos em Células Tronco, Terapia Celular e Genética Toxicológica (CeTroGen), Núcleo de Hospital Universitário (NHU), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmácia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Amélia
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: João Máximo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Carlos Alexandre
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Carollo
authors.forename: Mariana de Oliveira
authors.initials: Mde O
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.forename: Natan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Davi
authors.forename: Andréa Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cunha-Laura
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos Duenhas
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Monreal
authors.forename: Ana Hortencia
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Rafael Russo
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Chagas
authors.forename: Sarah Alves
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Auharek
authors.forename: Rodrigo Juliano
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D056747:Immunomodulation; D029581:Malpighiaceae; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Byrsonima verbascifolia; Medicinal plant; Micronucleus; Teratogenicity; Toxicity