Surveying the effects of Hypericum perforatum on Balb/C rats' pregnancy

The present study was achieved to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on abortion and any changes on embryonic development and oogenesis in pregnant mice. 

A dose of 1.457g/kg body weight (approximate oral dose in human per day) of dried alchoholic extract of the plant dissolved in water were given orally to Balb/C mice strain, once a day for 7 days (after vaginal plug observation as day 0 of pregnancy up to day 7). Then experimental embryos were removed from uterus on day 15 of gestation and compared with 15 days control embryos. The external and internal morphological properties of all embryos and the survival rate were determined. 

In all experiments, no conspicuous external or internal abnormalities in embryos were detected. The gross conditions of nervous system, liver, kidney and their development were normal as compared with sham and controls. There was no significant difference in the thickness of uterus wall and the number of endometrial glands among experimental, sham and control pregnant mice. However, in ovaries there were significant differences in some investigated parameters such as the number of corpus lutei cells and their diameters, and the number of degenerating follicles. Hormonal analysis of pregnant mice serum on day 15 of gestation showed a significant increase in the level of FSH and LH and a significant decrease in the level of progesteron as compared with those of controls.

Therefore, according to our results, it can be concluded that using Hypericum perforatum extract during pregnancy has no effect on embryos. It does not produce any abnormalities or change in development, and the significant decrease in the level of progesteron is not sufficient to produce abortion.