Teratogenic effects of aqueous extract of aerial part of Verbascum cheiranthifolium in mouse embryo

Verbascum cheiranthifolium is one of useful medicinal plant in Iranian traditional medicine that has many therapeutic effects including pain killer in stomachache, treatment of colds and bronchitis, antipyretic, migraine and antihemorrhoid. As mountaineer and people may use from extract of this plant, this study was undertaken to determine probable teratogenicity of aqueous extract of aerial part of Verbascum cheiranthifolium in mouse embryo.

In this experimental study, 50 adult female mice after mating and observation of vaginal plug, divided into 5 groups (control, phenytoin, and 3 treatments by 2.25,3 and 3.75 mg/kg dose of extract). All groups received aqueous extract of Verbascum cheiranthifolium at days 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 of pregnancy intraperitoneally.Finally at the day of 18 of pregnancy, all embryos were removed by caesarian section and analyzed from aspect of viable, dead or reabsorption status. Furthermore, weight and CRL of fetuses were analyzed by caliper and digital balance. Using the technique of alizarin red – alcian blue double staining, macroscopic abnormalities of the skeleton were investigated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square.

Fetuses of treatment groups received aqueous extract of Verbascum cheiranthifolium, showed significant decrease in CRL and weight. Different skeletal anomalies appeared in fetuses including polydactyly, extra rib, conjoined ribs, scoliosis, spina bifida, palate cleft and imperfect skull ossification.

Based on clear teratogenic effects of aqueous extract of Verbascum cheiranthifolium in mouse embryo from aspect of growth retardation and inducing skeletal anomalies, it seems usage of this medicinal plant in pregnant women should be avoided.