title: Teratogenic effects of silymarin on mouse fetuses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Silybum marianumhas been used for centuries in herbal medicine for treatment of liver diseases. Currently, there is no data available on the possible effects of silymarin on fetal development. This study aimed to investigate the teratogenic effect of silymarin on BALB/c mice fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 pregnant mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 mice each. Three groups received silymarin at three different doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day during gestational days (GDs). The control group received normal saline and tween (solvent). Dams were sacrificed on GD 18 and all fetuses were examined for gross malformations, size and body weight. Malformed fetuses were double stained with alizarin red and alcian blue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Silymarin administration at all doses resulted in reduction of the mean fetal body weights. The abnormalities included limb, vertebral column and craniofacial malformations. Craniofacial malformations were the most common abnormalities, but they were not observed in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of fetal resorption significantly increased (up to 15%) in all treatment groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our results, silymarin, especially at high doses can lead to fetal resorption, intrauterine growth retardation and limb, vertebral column and craniofacial abnormalities. More precise studies should be conducted about the teratogenic effects of herbal medicine investigating the underlying mechanisms. Thus, caution should be taken when administeringS. marianumto pregnant woman.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahbobe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gholami
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Adel
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moallem
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afshar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Imam-Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Sakineh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amoueian
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Etemad
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmacy school, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karimi
keywords: Mouse fetus; Silybum marianum; Silymarin; Teratogenicity