Protective effect of quercetin on skeletal teratogenicity induced by experimental diabetes in rat fetus

Maternal diabetes can induce a number of developmental abnormalities including deformities of the face and palate and these teratogenic effects decrease by application of antioxidant drugs. In this study, the prophylactic effect of quercetin on fetal teratogenesis incidence from diabetes was evaluated.
In this experimental study, 24 female Wistar rats were used into four groups. After intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and confirm of diabetes in 2 groups of rats, all rats were mated. One group of diabetic and non-diabetic rats received quercetin (75 mg/kg/ orally) in 0,7,14 and 20 days of gestation while two control groups received normal saline. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length were stained by Alizarin red - Alcian blue method and skeletal abnormalities was evaluated by stereomicroscope.
Cleft palate, wavy rib and rib adhesion incidence were 38.09%, 4.86% and 14.28% range in control diabetic group but their incidence were respectively decreased 16.12%, 0% and 0% by quercetin. Also, quercetin decreased skeletal anomalies incidence including sternum, and ribs.
Quercetin as one antioxidant can decrease teratogenicity induced by diabetes mellitus.