Embryotoxicity in vitro with extract of Indigofera suffruticosa leaves

Reprod Toxicol. 2004 Jul;18(5):701-5. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2004.04.004.

Abstract

Aqueous extract of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa (AELIs) were studied for adverse effects in preimplantation mouse embryos. Two-cell mouse embryos were cultured for 94 h in human tubal fluid medium (HTF), and AELIs at a concentration of 5 or 10 mg/ml. On Day 4 of culture, morulae and blastocysts were collected for morphological analysis of blastomeres. We found that embryos exposed to the higher concentration of AELIs (10 mg/ml) did not develop and all embryos persisted at the two-cell stage. Those embryos exposed to the lower concentration (5 mg/ml) showed development until morula, blastocyst and hatched blastocyst stages that were similar to the controls. These results suggest that use of AELIs may be hazardous to humans who make use of it in folk medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Indigofera*
  • Mice
  • Morphogenesis / drug effects
  • Morula / drug effects*
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity*
  • Plant Leaves / toxicity*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Plant Extracts