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Teratogenic effects of Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil in mice
Author(s) -
Pages N.,
Fournier G.,
Chamorro G.,
Salazar M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2650050213
Subject(s) - anophthalmia , essential oil , gestation , biology , teratology , toxicity , fetus , pregnancy , medicine , physiology , botany , microphthalmia , biochemistry , genetics , gene
The teratogenic potential of Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil was evaluated in Swiss‐OF 1 mice injected subcutaneously. They received daily 0, 15, 45 or 135 mg/kg body weight on days 6 to 15 of gestation. A slight maternal toxicity, as evidenced by reduced weight gain and some physical alterations, was observed among treated groups compared with controls. Animals were killed and subjected to uterine examination on day 17 of pregnancy. Plectranthus fruticosus essential oil induced both embryo‐ and feto‐toxicity in the three treated groups, as manifested by a statistically significant increase in the numbers of resorbed and malformed fetuses. The observed malformations were predominantly related to the eyes (anophthalmia).