Effects of Maytenus ilicifolia on reproduction and embryo-fetal development in Wistar rats.
Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae), popularly known as espinheira-santa, is a native plant from the Atlantic forest and is commonly used in popular medicine to treat inflammation and as an abortifacient. To evaluate the effects of M. ilicifolia on pregnant rats during the organogenic period (T1) or throughout the gestational period (T2), an extract obtained using an acetone-water mixture at a 70:30 ratio was administered via gavage at a dose of 15.11 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) over 2 treatment periods (T1 and T2). No clinical signs of maternal toxicity were observed. Term fetuses did not present malformations or anomalies as the number of implantations, reabsorptions, live, and dead fetuses were similar to the control group. In conclusion, M. ilicifolia hydroacetonic extract is non-toxic to pregnant rats and appears to not interfere with the progress of embryo-fetal development.
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil andrea.laura@ufms.br.
A L
AL
Cunha-Laura
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.
S A
SA
Auharek
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.
R J
RJ
Oliveira
Campus Centro-Oeste Dona Lindu, Universidade Federal de São João Del Rei, Divinópolis, MG, Brasil.
J M
JM
Siqueira
Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brasil.
M C
MC
Vieira
Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil.
V S
VS
Leite
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.
L C
LC
Portugal
D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D029755:Maytenus / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D010936:Plant Extracts