Investigation of Turnera ulmifolia effects in pregnant rats and offspring

Abstract

Turnera ulmifolia Linn. (Turneraceae) is an herb commonly found in northeastern Brazil, frequently employed in folk medicine, including by pregnant woman, for many afflictions due to it expectorant, tonic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, and antioxidant effects. This work studied the infusion commonly used by the population, obtained by maceration of fresh leaves of T. ulmifolia in filtered water, to evaluate if the same may promote alterations in rat gestation and exposed offspring. Pregnant rats received, by gavage, the aqueous extract (0, 1, 2, or 3 g/kg/day) from gestation day (GD) 1 to GD 21. The treatment was not able to promote maternal toxicity: body weight gain, food and water intake were not altered during gestation period. The offspring presented normal physical and reflexological development. No alterations were observed in the histopathological study and sexual hormone levels of the dams and offspring at 30, 60, and 90 days of age. The sexual behavior was evaluated in male and female offspring at adult age (GD 90) and no alterations were observed. These results suggest that the infusion of T. ulmifolia, employed in folk medicine, at these doses, is not able to promote alterations to pregnant rats, to impair gestation, or to damage the exposed offspring.

Keywords::

• Turnera ulmifolia
• Turneraceae
• pregnant rats
• herb side effects

Declaration of interest: This study was supported by CNPq and is referent to the project developed by the first author at Universidate Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.