The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2023; 12(1):20-26 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2023.12103
Teratogenic Effects of Carissa spinarum and Azadirachta indica Aqueous Extracts in Mice
Yvonne W Wabai1 , Charles G Githinji2 , Joseph N Ngeranwa1 , John K Mwonjoria1
1. Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
2. Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 4th January, 2023 / Accepted: 28th February, 2023
Carissa spinarum (mukawa in Kikuyu, lamuriak in Maasai) and Azadirachta indica (neem, mwarubainiin Kiswahili) are widely used in African communities. C. spinarum is used as food and as treatment forgonorrhoea, cancer, and abnormal pain in pregnancy. A. indica is used as a mosquito-repellent and astreatment for malaria and dental carries. Both plants have broad biological activities includinganticancer, hypoglycaemic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activity. However, data on theirsafety for use during pregnancy is scarce. This study aimed to determine the teratogenic effects of C. spinarum and A. indica in mice. FDA guidelines for reproduction studies were used. Pregnant mice wererandomly divided into 8 groups (n=5) for the assay. Plant extracts were prepared in the doses 100, 250, and 500mg/kg body weight. Phenytoin sodium 100mg/kg body weight was used as the positive controland distilled water was used as the negative control. Treatments were administered orally and beganfrom gestation day 6 and ended on gestation day 15. On gestation day 18, the mice were weighed andeuthanized and the pups were recovered. Weights of the gravid uteri, number of pups and their body measurements, and incidences of foetal resorption were also recorded. Data were expressed as meansand their standard errors and analysed using one-way ANOVA/Dunnett’s post hoc test. The significance level was set at p
Carissa spinarum, Azadirachta indica, Neem, Teratogenicity, Foetal resorption, Microcephaly
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Wabai YW, Githinji CG, Ngeranwa JN, Mwonjoria JK. TeratogenicEffects of Carissa spinarum and Azadirachta indica Aqueous Extracts inMice. J Phytopharmacol 2023; 12(1):20-26. doi:10.31254/phyto.2023.12103
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