title: Fetopathies associated with exposure to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor from Tropaeolum majus L.
abstract: The prevalence of the use of herbal medicines is on the rise across the world, especially amongst pregnant women. A fact that draws attention is that many species commonly used by pregnant women, including the Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae), also present inhibitory activity on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Herein, we have investigated the effects of T. majus extract (HETM) on fetal development, evaluating its relationship with possible ACE inhibitory activity. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated with different HETM doses (3, 30 and 300 mg/kg/day) from gestational days 8-20. Rats were sacrificed on the day 20 of pregnancy and the following parameters were evaluated: clinical symptoms of maternal toxicity; maternal body weight; feed and water intake; maternal liver, kidney, and ovary weights, maternal ACE activity and aldosterone levels, live fetuses mean; dead fetuses percentage, fetus weight, and fetal malformation. All pregnant rats treated with high HETM doses showed significant reduction in plasma ACE activity accompanied by a decrease in serum aldosterone levels. Moreover, significant changes in fetal development were observed, including growth retardation and renal damage after 20 days of gestation. Thus, data presented demonstrate the significant effects of the use of HETM on fetal development during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products , Universidade Paranaense , Umuarama , PR , Brazil.
authors.forename: Emerson Luiz
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Botelho Lourenço
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products , Universidade Paranaense , Umuarama , PR , Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita de Cassia
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lima Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Natural Products , Universidade Paranaense , Umuarama , PR , Brazil.
authors.forename: Valdinei de Oliveira
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmacology , Federal University of Parana , Curitiba , PR , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Anderson Joel
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Martino-Andrade
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmacology , Federal University of Parana , Curitiba , PR , Brazil , and.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dalsenter
authors.affiliation: c Laboratory of Electrophysiology and Cardiovascular Pharmacology , Faculty of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados , Dourados , MS , Brasil.
authors.forename: Arquimedes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasparotto
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005865:Gestational Age; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D032388:Tropaeolum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: ACE inhibitors; Tropaeolaceae; Tropaeolum majus; pregnancy; toxicity