The Effect of Saffron Decoction Consumption on Pregnant Mice and Their Offspring

In traditional medicine, saffron is used as a drug for treating many diseases. However there are many documents and evidences concerning its abortive and teratogenic effect especially in high doses. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of saffron decoction consumption on pregnant mice and their offspring. In this study, 20 female mice after breeding and observation of vaginal plaque, randomly and equally divided into two groups. During pregnancy, animals were housed under the same environmental and nutritional condition while the test group received 0.5% saffron decoction as their drinks instead of tape water for control group. The pregnant mice were weighted during pregnancy and after delivery. Following the parturition, the number of live kids, their weight and sex and any pretended obvious abnormality were assigned. The duration of pregnancy period and the number of live kids in test group were significantly less than control group while the mean infant’s weight in test group was more than control group. There was obvious one-eye blindness in 4 kids from saffron consumed group. In the case of mother's weight and sex ratio of live kids there was no significant difference between the two groups. This study indicated that saffron has a specific teratogenic effect on visual system and causes preterm labor and reduces the number of live infants which may be due to its abortive effect.