Authors :
M. T. Epelle; O. O. Gbadebo; H. B. Akpan
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 1 - January
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/gu88
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3qQiDu9
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5879002
Abstract :
Herbal products are frequently regarded as
“safe” by the general public, but not without side
effects. The aim of this study was to assess the probable
teratogenic effects of Lerhacacig on the developing
wistar rat foetuses. Lerhacacig, a local herbal
concoction, made up of five different plant products (CP,
GL, RB, CL, LC), is consumed mostly by the south
western (yoruba) women in Nigeria during pregnancy.
25 adult female Wistar rats weighing between 150-200g
were randomly assigned to three (3) experimental groups
and a control group. The experimental groups consisted
of three groups viz: group 1 (CP + GL + RB – T1);
Group 2 (LC + CL- T2); Group 3 (RB + CP + CL + LC
+GL- T3). All animals were given 0.8ml/kg body weight
of their respective extract daily by oral administration
for 21days. They were sacrificed on the 21st day of
pregnancy using light anesthesia. The Neonatal weight,
litter size, crown rump length, head circumference,
femur length and humeral length anthropometric
measurements were taken for both experimental and
control groups respectively. The kidney and liver were
harvested, weighed and processedfor routine and special
histological analyses.
The results from this present study revealed that
1fetus from group 3 mothers presented with unilateral
renal agenesis. Another mother in the same group also
presented a case of foetal resorption in which up to six
resorption sites were observed. There was no significant
difference in the crown rump length, femur length,
humeral length and head circumference across the
groups. However, the neonatal weight was significantly
different across the groups. The photomicrographs of
organs harvested from the experimental groups of
Lerhacarcig also showed some pathologic changes while
those of the control appeared normal. In conclusion, the
combined extract of lerhacacig could be considered
teratogenic as observed in this study. For further study,
it is pertinent to isolate each plant in order to elucidate
which root was responsible for the teratogenic effects as
this present study only suggested a combinatorial effect
of the extracts as against individualizing the plant.
Keywords :
Teratogenicity, Lerhacacig, Resorption and unilateral Renal Agenesis.
Herbal products are frequently regarded as
“safe” by the general public, but not without side
effects. The aim of this study was to assess the probable
teratogenic effects of Lerhacacig on the developing
wistar rat foetuses. Lerhacacig, a local herbal
concoction, made up of five different plant products (CP,
GL, RB, CL, LC), is consumed mostly by the south
western (yoruba) women in Nigeria during pregnancy.
25 adult female Wistar rats weighing between 150-200g
were randomly assigned to three (3) experimental groups
and a control group. The experimental groups consisted
of three groups viz: group 1 (CP + GL + RB – T1);
Group 2 (LC + CL- T2); Group 3 (RB + CP + CL + LC
+GL- T3). All animals were given 0.8ml/kg body weight
of their respective extract daily by oral administration
for 21days. They were sacrificed on the 21st day of
pregnancy using light anesthesia. The Neonatal weight,
litter size, crown rump length, head circumference,
femur length and humeral length anthropometric
measurements were taken for both experimental and
control groups respectively. The kidney and liver were
harvested, weighed and processedfor routine and special
histological analyses.
The results from this present study revealed that
1fetus from group 3 mothers presented with unilateral
renal agenesis. Another mother in the same group also
presented a case of foetal resorption in which up to six
resorption sites were observed. There was no significant
difference in the crown rump length, femur length,
humeral length and head circumference across the
groups. However, the neonatal weight was significantly
different across the groups. The photomicrographs of
organs harvested from the experimental groups of
Lerhacarcig also showed some pathologic changes while
those of the control appeared normal. In conclusion, the
combined extract of lerhacacig could be considered
teratogenic as observed in this study. For further study,
it is pertinent to isolate each plant in order to elucidate
which root was responsible for the teratogenic effects as
this present study only suggested a combinatorial effect
of the extracts as against individualizing the plant.
Keywords :
Teratogenicity, Lerhacacig, Resorption and unilateral Renal Agenesis.
